XN000022-1991-12-09 — Page 8

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1991

"WE HAVE ALSO DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, TARGETTING THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS IN PARTICULAR, HE SAID.

"HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER COUNTRIRS AND TERRITORIES TO PREVENT THE ILLICIT TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS AND MONEY LAUNDERING, AS WELL AS PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES.

"WE SHALL ALSO MAINTAIN OUR EFFORTS

IN TREATMENT REHABILITATION, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND ENFORCEMENT," HE SAID.

AND LAW

LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD STUDIES WAGE PLAN TO PROTECT WORKERS

*

THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO WITNESS PAYMENT OF WAGES TO WORKERS IF THERE ARE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE EXPLOITED.

THE PROPOSAL IS AIMED AT PROTECTING IMPORTED WORKERS FROM UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES OR UNDER-PAYMENT OF WAGES.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD STUDIED THE PROPOSAL FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AND FURTHER LEGAL ADVICE WOULD BE SOUGHT.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG (AIA) WOULD RECOMMEND AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL COSTS ARISING FROM VARIOUS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE ENDORSED BY THE BOARD IN JULY LAST YEAR.

THE AIA ARGUED THAT INSURERS WOULD INCUR INCREASED COSTS IN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO INJURED EMPLOYEES, HIGH ADMINISTRATION AND LEGAL EXPENSES, AND LOST INCOME DUE TO REDUCED CASH-FLOW.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD EXPRESSED RESERVATION ON THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN PREMIUM RATES, AND THEIR RESERVATION WOULD BE CONVEYED THE AIA.

то

THE MEETING ALSO AGREED TO SEND A TRIPARTITE MISSION ΤΟ JAPAN IN MAY NEXT YEAR TO STUDY ITS RETIREMENT SECURITY SCHEMES, POLICY AND PRACTICE RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, AND INITIATIVES ΤΟ ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO JOIN THE WORKFORCE.

THE MISSION WILL BE LED BY THE DARWIN CHEN, AND WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR EMPLOYERS' AND EMPLOYEES'

/TODAY'S MEETING