XN000022-1992-01-31 — Page 9

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1992

"ALSO, WORKERS ENGAGED IN THESE YARDS WILL BE REQUIRED ΤΟ USE SAFETY BELTS PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS, HE NOTED.

THE EMPLOYMENT

то PROTECT THE INTEREST OF JOB-SEEKERS, (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 PROPOSES TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM CHARGING JOB APPLICANTS REGISTRATION FEES.

HOWEVER, THEY WILL STILL BE ALLOWED TO CHARGE A COMMISSION OF UP TO ONE-TENTH OF THE FIRST MONTH'S PAY OF A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT.

THIS BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO REMOVE ALL EXISTING RESTRICTIONS ON CHARGES BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS AS THESE FEE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN PRACTICE MADE WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH PARTIES.

MOREOVER, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, WHETHER DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, WILL BE ISSUED THE SAME LICENCE.

AN AGENCY WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE WITH ONE LICENCE FOR ITS MAIN OFFICE PLUS A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH OFFICE, AND WILL BE REQUIRED ONLY TO KEEP RECORDS OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON JOB APPLICANTS FOR INSPECTION BY LABOUR OFFICERS.

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"THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE NECESSARY AS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES HAVE BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED IN OPERATION OVER THE YEARS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

PROPOSALS TO REGULATE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS

THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE INTRODUCTION OF STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS IN HONG KONG.

SUCH REGULATORY PROVISIONS WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG OFFERS MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LEGAL ADVICE TO PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS HERE THUS ENHANCE HONG KONG'S POSITION AS A LEADING REGIONAL CENTRE FOR FINANCE AND LEGAL ADVICE.

AT PRESENT FOREIGN LAWYERS OR FOREIGN LAW FIRMS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF THE LAW SOCIETY REGULATING PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, ETHICS AND DISCIPLINE. THERE ARE ALSO NO STATUTORY CRITERIA THAT SET OUT THE CONDITIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AND FOR THE REGULATION OF THEIR PRACTICES HERE.

IN

PROPOSALS FOR A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK WERE MOOTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1988. RESPONSE TO A GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION DOCUMENT 1989 SHOWED STRONG SUPPORT FOR A STATUTORY SCHEME FOR REGULATING ADMISSION AND PRACTICE OF FOREIGN LAWYERS.

THE

/THE GOVERNOR