TNAG-0091-FCO40-127-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 42

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Legislative Council shortly afterwards,

Thie will be followed by the

Industrial Relations Bill which it is hoped will come forward by the

end of this year. Between these items, various minor pieces of

legislation will also be introduced.

Substantial legislative changes are embodied in these 3 major

hills, and are likely to lead to increased manufacturing costs.

Employment Bill

6.

It is intended that it should replace in part the Employers and

Servants Ordinance by making more precise provisions regarding the

termination of employment, particularly in the case of unwritten contracts of service. The changes arise from difficulties which have

been experienced in the interpretation of existing law. The present

ceilings of cash remuneration in contracts of service are being raised

to take account of the increase in wage rates which has taken place

since the original legislation was enacted. A new part will be added to amplify existing provisions designed to ensure that wages are paid

without improper deductions. The bill will be so framed as to enable

additional parts to be added as and when agreement is reached on them

untill the whole comprises a comprehensive employment ordinance,

7.

Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Bill

The main features of this are:-

(a) to extend the benefits of compensation to non-manual workers

(manual workers are already covered regardless of wages

earned);

(b) to include domestic servants, who are now excluded; (c) to prescribe additional compensation for permanent total

incapacity requiring the constant help of another person; (d) to increase periodical payments to a rate of two-thirds

instead of one half of former monthly earnings, in accordance

with ILO recommendations and established practice elsewhere;

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