XN000022-1994-06-20 — Page 6

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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1994

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) SAID: "MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO COMMENT ON A RANGE OF TOPICS COVERING THE PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISEMENTS BROADCAST ON ATV AND TVB.'

LICENCE CARRIES

THE LICENCES FOR BOTH TELEVISION STATOINS WERE RENEWED FOR A TERM OF 12 YEARS EXPIRING IN DECEMBER 2000. EACH

A CONDITION THAT IT IS SUBJECT TO RENEWAL BY THE NOT BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 1994.

GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL

THE BA WILL SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC ON WHAT HAS BEEN BROADCAST OVER THE PAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS. THIS WILL HELP THE BA DETERMINE WHETHER ANY CHANGES TO THE REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING IS REQUIRED.

PAMPHLETS GIVING DETAILS OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.

ENQUIRIES ON THE PUBLIC HEARING CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5792.

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WARNING ON DISMISSAL OF PREGNANT EMPLOYEES

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CASES INVOLVING DISMISSAL OF PREGNANT EMPLOYEES AND WILL STEP UP PROSECUTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO BREACH EMPLOYMENT LAWS.

THE WARNING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE 33RD EDITION OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS NEWSLETTER RECENTLY PRODUCED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT (LRPU).

IN A FRONT-PAGE ARTICLE, THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED ALL TO OBSERVE THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (EO).

EMPLOYERS

IN HONG KONG, THE HISTORY OF PROTECTING EMPLOYEES FROM BRING DISMISSED WHEN THEY ARE PREGNANT CAN BE TRACED BACK TO 1967.

IN THAT YEAR, A WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL SECURITY ADVOCATED THAT THE PROTECTION FROM LOSING EMPLOYMENT DUE TO PREGNANCY WAS A SUBJECT OF IMMEDIATE IMPORTANCE.

WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1970 IN JANUARY 1970, PREGNANT EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ENJOYING EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION BY LAW.

TO

THE LAW PROVIDES THAT WHEN A PREGNANT EMPLOYER WHO IS ENTITLED MATERNITY LEAVE HAS COMPLETED 12 WEEKS' SERVICE WITH HER EMPLOYER AND HAS SERVED NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE WILL ENJOY EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION.

ONCE THE NOTICE IS SERVED, THE EMPLOYER IS PROHIBITED FROM TERMINATING THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, OTHERWISE THE EMPLOYER HAS ΤΟ PAY WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, MATERNITY LEAVE PAY AND A SUM EQUIVALENT

SEVEN DAYS' WAGES.

TO

/IN ADDITION