XN000022-1992-01-31 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1992

"WORKERS SHOULD COME FORWARD AND REPORT TO US IF THEY DO NOT RECEIVE IN FULL THE WAGES LAID DOWN IN THE CONTRACTS SUBMITTED WITH THEIR VISA APPLICATIONS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT ALL SUCH COMPLAINTS WOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.

HE REITERATED THAT PROSECUTION WOULD BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST OFFENDING EMPLOYERS WHERE THERE WAS EVIDENCE.

"MOREOVER, THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEMES ALSO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS, INCLUDING WITHDRAWAL OF QUOTA GRANTED, AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO BREACH THE CONDITIONS, HE NOTED.

TO PREVENT IRREGULARITIES IN WAGE PAYMENT, MR MAK SAID EMPLOYERS IMPORTING LABOUR UNDER THE NEW SCHEME WERE REQUIRED TO PAY WAGES TO WORKERS THROUGH AUTOPAY.

"WE WILL INCREASE STAFF TO STEP UP INSPECTION OF DORMITORIES AND WORKPLACES OF IMPORTED WORKERS, AND TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF ABUSES AND IRREGULARITIES BY EMPLOYERS, HE ADDED.

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MADE MORE THAN 3,500 VISITS то THE WORKPLACES AND DORMITORIES OF IMPORTED WORKERS LAST YEAR, COVERING PRACTICALLY ALL EMPLOYERS OF IMPORTED LABOUR, AND LAID 27 SUMMONSES AGAINST SUCH EMPLOYERS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO BETTER PROTECT WORKERS

THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF MEASURES ΤΟ PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL WORKERS.

BETTER

THESE MEASURES, AIMED AT IMPROVING WORKERS' WELFARE AND SAFETY, WERE SET OUT IN FIVE BILLS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN MID-FEBRUARY.

THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG BILL 1992 PROPOSES TO REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR WORKERS ENGAGED TO WORK OVERSEAS FOR A MONTHLY PAY OF UP TO BE ATTESTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

(AMENDMENT) NON-MANUAL

TO

$20,000

INCREASING NON-MANUAL

THIS WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION ΤΟ THE NUMBER OF WORKERS ENGAGED BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO TAKE UP JOBS SUCH AS TECHNICIANS AND SUPERVISORS OVERSEAS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE DIFFICULTY IN CLAIMING THEIR DUE ENTITLEMENTS IN CASE DISPUTES WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

OF

/AT PRESENT