XN000022-1992-01-31 — Page 8

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1992

AT PRESENT, ONLY MANUAL WORKERS EMPLOYED ΤΟ WORK WHOLLY PARTIALLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS ARE PROTECTED BY CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE (CEOHKO).

OR

THE

"THE BILL ALSO SPELLS OUT THE INTENT OF THE СЕОНКО ΤΟ GIVE PROTECTION TO HONG KONG EMPLOYEES TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE KONG WITH FOREIGN EMPLOYERS ONLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HONG

"THIS HELPS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT EMPLOYEES ENGAGED BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHILE ALL EMPLOYEES ENGAGED BY HONG KONG EMPLOYERS TO WORK PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE PROTECTED BY IT," HE SAID.

HE STRESSED THAT WHEN ATTESTING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYEES UNDER THE CEOHKO, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE TERMS OFFERED WERE NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THOSE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

"THESE TERMS INCLUDE PAID HOLIDAYS, ANNUAL LEAVE, NOTICE OR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE OF TERMINATION, AND COMPENSATION FOR INJURY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A PROPOSAL ΤΟ PROTECT EMPLOYEES AGAINST VICTIMISATION BY EMPLOYERS IS MADE UNDER TWO AMENDMENT BILLS.

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 STIPULATES THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO GIVES ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIS EMPLOYER IN RELATION TO WORK ACCIDENTS OR SAFETY AT WORK SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OR DISMISSAL.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCES PENALTY ON EMPLOYERS WHO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST EMPLOYEES ON GROUNDS OF GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT OR PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.

"THE PENALTY FOR AN OFFENDING EMPLOYER WILL BE A FINE OF $20,000 IN BOTH CASES," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.

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A BILL WHICH SOUGHT

ALSO GAZETTED TODAY WAS

TO BRING ALL CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.

"THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2} BILL 1992 IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF WORKERS ENGAGED IN SMALL STORAGE YARDS FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

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IN ADDITION, THE FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CARGO HANDLING) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1992 SEEK TO REQUIRE PROPRIETORS OF CONTAINER STORAGE YARDS TO STACK UP CONTAINERS SAFELY ON A LEVEL AND FIRM GROUND AND TO PREVENT THE FALL OF WORKERS FROM THE TOP OF CONTAINERS.

/"ALSO, WORKEPS