XN000022-1996-08-21 — Page 12

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Advanced welfare payment

Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) under the bank payment system may receive their payments on Friday (August 23) if their pay- days fall on the coming public holidays (August 24 to 26).

"Special payment arrangements will also be made for recipients of Social Security Allowance whose pay-days fall within this period", a Social Welfare Department spokesman said today (Wednesday).

"Those who have bank accounts in Hongkong Bank or Hang Seng Bank will receive their payments on Friday whereas those with accounts in other banks will get their payments next Tuesday (August 27)."

In case of doubt, recipients are advised to contact their respective social security field units.

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Firm fined for sacking pregnant employee

The Labour Department today (Wednesday) warned employers not to dismiss any female employee who had given notice of her intention to take maternity leave.

Shiatos Limited was recently fined $20,000 at the Western Magistracy for sacking a pregnant employee after she had submitted a notice of intention to take maternity leave.

"Under the Employment Ordinance, a female employee is protected from termination of her employment from the date on which she gives notice of her intention to take maternity leave to the date on which she is due to return to work, if she has completed 12 weeks' service with the same employer," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.

A female employee who has worked for the same employer under a continuous contract for not less than 26 weeks immediately before the expected date of her commencement of maternity leave is entitled to maternity leave.