XN000022-1996-05-17 — Page 3

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"To this end, the Government conducts regular reviews of the various provisions on employees' benefits under the existing labour laws and introduces improvements, as and when appropriate," he said.

The reviews were conducted in the light of Hong Kong's socio-economic changes, views expressed by trade unions and employer groups, as well as international labour standards and practices in our neighbouring countries.

"The proposals under the two bills, which have been endorsed by the Labour Advisory Board, strike a reasonable balance between the interests of employers and employees," Mr Cheung said.

The Employment (Amendment) Bill 1996 proposes a series of improvements to the maternity protection provisions, including:

removing the qualifying service requirement for unpaid maternity leave;

removing the limitation on the number of surviving children for maternity leave pay;

simplifying the provisions regarding the duration of maternity leave;

providing flexibility in the allocation of the 10 weeks' maternity leave between the ante-natal and post-natal periods;

removing the 12 weeks' qualifying service for employment protection;

increasing the penal damages for wrongful dismissal of a pregnant employee;

simplifying the requirements of maternity leave notice; and

prohibiting the assignment of hazardous work to a pregnant employee.

The Employment(Amendment)(No 2) Bill 1996 seeks to:

remove the percentage reduction of Long Service Payment for employees under 45 years of age and with less than 10 years' service;

revise the definition of wages to include commission, attendance bonus, attendance allowance, travelling allowance and overtime pay;

require an employer to pay interest on outstanding wages due to employees;