XN000022-1993-01-15 — Page 5

+

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1993

STATEMENT ON GOVT INFORMATION STUDY

* * *

TODAY

IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION MACHINERY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID (FRIDAY):

HAS BEEN RECEIVED

BY

CHIEF

STAFF

"THE CONSULTANCY REPORT

THE SECRETARY. IT IS BEING STUDIED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT. ALL CONCERNED WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN ΤΟ IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

0

LABOUR COMMISSIONER OUTLINES BETTER PLANS FOR WORKERS

WORKERS WHOSE EMPLOYERS BECOME INSOLVENT WILL BE BETTER PROTECTED IN RESPECT OF ARREARS OF WAGES AND WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE 1 F THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 19 APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MES KATHERINE FOX, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION TO REVIEW THE WORK OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST YEAR, MRS FOK SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PROPOSED TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT ON ARREARS OF WAGES AND WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE TO PROVIDE BETTER COVERAGE TO WORKERS.

"UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE MAXIMUM LIMIT OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT

IN RESPECT OF ARREARS OF WAGES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $8,000 TO $18,000 PER APPLICANT WHILE WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE FROM SEVEN DAYS' WAGES UP TO $2,000 TO ONE MONTH'S WAGES UP TO $6,000," SHE SAID.

"IN ADDITION, FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO REVISE THE AMOUNT OF ARREARS OF WAGES TO BE COVERED BY THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WILL BE SIMPLIFIED.

"THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE POWER TO AMEND THE LAW BY RESOLUTION," SHE ADDED.

BOARD,

MRS FOK SAID THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PANEL ON MANPOWER HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

THE AMENDMENT BILL HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING EARLY NEXT MONTH.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE WAGE SECURITY UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 834 6037.

TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE FOR IMPLOYEES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR SAID OTHER PROPOSALS WILL ВЕ MADE TO AMEND SOME OF THE EXISTING LABOUR LEGISLATION THIS YEAR.

/"THESE INCLUDE