XN000022-1995-07-27 — Page 45

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That said, if the Commission felt that public discussion of international instruments would be helpful or that it needed to examine proposed legislation against norms established in an international setting, it could do so under its powers to "work towards the elimination of discrimination" and to "promote equality of opportunity between persons with a disability and persons without a disability". We will therefore oppose the amendment on the ground that is unnecessary and potentially confusing.

The Hon Li Wah-ming's Amendment: Grace Period for Small Firms

In addition to the amendments proposed by the Bills Committee, the Honourable Li Wah-ming has proposed an amendment to delete the "grace period" of five years for firms employing no more than five people. We will propose our own amendment to this clause to reduce the period from five to three years. We believe this is a reasonable period to allow small firms to adjust to the new requirements and to learn from the experience of larger firms. Such an amendment was also passed by this Council in respect of the Sex Discrimination Bill. Members should be reassured by the fact that 80 per cent of employees in Hong Kong are not employed by small firms. Moreover, most people with a disability are employed by larger firms. This means that the vast majority of employees will, from the date these provisions are brought into effect, already enjoy the full protection of this law. We will, therefore, not support the Hon Li Wah-ming's amendment.

Mr President, I would like to say that by supporting the Disability Discrimination Bill, as I am confident Members will, we as a community, are adding Hong Kong to the small but growing list of countries in the world where people with a disability will be able to turn to the law to fight for equal opportunities at the same time the community as a whole can rest assured that its interests have been fully taken into account. We will also be gaining a powerful public education tool to help the community understand that those with a disability have a right to be treated fairly, and that we all have a part to play in achieving the goal of integration. With Members' support, let us take this positive step, and many more steps together and Hong Kong an even more caring society.

End/Thursday, July 27, 1995