XN000022-1994-10-28 — Page 4

1

2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1994

"WE DO NOT CURRENTLY REGULATE SUCH WORKING HOURS BECAUSE THE NATURE OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONCERNED IS CONSIDERED TO BE LESS STRENUOUS THAN IN INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. HOWEVER, WE WILL IN DUE COURSE EXAMINE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF INTRODUCING SUCH CONTROL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

LASTLY, A RESERVATION HAS ALSO BEEN ENTERED FOR HONG KONG AND ONE OTHER DEPENDANT TERRITORY TO ALLOW THE CONTINUED APPLICATION OF LEGISLATION RELATING TO CHILDREN SEEKING REFUGEE STATUS.

"THIS IS

|!

ESSENTIAL TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE ΤΟ DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANT CHILDREN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

WITH REGARD TO FOLLOW-UP ACTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID COPIES OF THE CONVENTION WOULD BE WIDELY DISSEMINATED AND ITS PROVISIONS FULLY PUBLISHED AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ENHANCED HUMAN RIGHTS PUBLICITY STRATEGY,

ARE FULLY PROVISIONS

"WE WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT ALL PARTS OF GOVERNMENT AWARE OF THE NEED TO TAKE DUE ACCOUNT OF THE CONVENTION'S IN IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMES AND FORMULATING POLICIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

*+

0

PENALTIES FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES OFFENCES SET TO RISE SHARPLY

* * *

THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR TRADING IN HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS IS SET TO INCREASE TO A FINE OF $5 MILLION AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS UNDER PROPOSALS GAZETTED BY THE GOVERNMENT

TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPECIES)

THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED ( AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 PROPOSES ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASES IN MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THE CURRENT MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $25,000 FOR A FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE.

THE BILL REMOVES THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES AND INTRODUCES DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PENALTIES ACCORDING TO WHETHER THE OFFENCE IS COMMITTED FOR A COMMERCIAL OR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSE AND WHETHER THE SPECIES INVOLVED IS HIGHLY ENDANGERED OR LESS ENDANGERED.

IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESSION OF AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE FOR A COMMERCIAL PURPOSE WILL ATTRACT THE HIGHEST PENALTIES, UNDER THE PROPOSALS.

/WHERE SUCH