6
In conclusion, Mr President, I would like to assure Members that improvement to the CSSA Scheme is high on our agenda. And it is an on-going programme which will continue.
Thank you.
End/Wednesday, December 14, 1994
Employment (Amendment) Bill withdrawn
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, to withdraw the Employment (Amendment) Bill 1994 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
A very important principle is at stake here. Mr LAU Chin-shek's amendment ignored a conscious decision by the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) to keep the $180,000 ceiling as part of an agreed package to improve long service payment and severance payment. LAB is the Government's main advisory body on labour issues. It is a body where employers and employees elect their own representatives to deliberate on issues concerning labour policy and legislative proposals. The LAB has an excellent record and has made significant improvements over the years to labour welfare at a pace and at a manner acceptable to both employers and employees. Every set of LAB's proposal represents the outcome of patient, understanding and careful deliberations. We must not seek therefore to overturn these proposals lightly and abruptly. To do so would put our labour relations at risk and would damage the LAB's credibility as a successful mechanism for striking a reasonable balance between employers and employees interests, a system which has served Hong Kong so well over the years.
Mr Chairman, because of this fundamental principle. I withdraw the Bill.
End/Wednesday, December 14, 1994
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