HowG KONG
May 30th
STANDARD
73
Employers face fines in govt bid to
clamp down on victimisation
£6
HKK 3/16
LAWS GIVE
POWER
NEW
TO UNIONS
Labour -Tribunal
to get new teeth
if Bill is passed
NEW laws are being planned that will strengthen the hand of Hongkong's trade unions and protect workers from discrimination and victimisation,
They will make it an offence for any employer to ban his workers from joining a union or to penalise union activists.
If they break the law, employers will face fines of up to $5,000.
The proposals are contained in the Anti-Trade Union Discrimination Bill, which will be introduced soon by the Government as
an
amendment to the Employment Ordinance.
It will only protect members and officials of unions registered with the Government.
The laws, it is estimated,
*
by C.Y. Wong
will affect 1.5 million workers.
A trade union Source pointed out that if the Bill is passed by the Legislative Council, its provisions will be carried out by the Labour Tribunal
"This will without doubt enlarge the power of the tribunal,” he said.
"The tribunal will be given the power to settle disputes concerning workers' rights instead of merely money disputes between employers and employees."
He added; "Such a Bill will help ease the present discontent among Hongkong workers.'
""
So far, he said, there was no legislation protecting workers
from discrimination by their employers and the Government found itself powerless to settle such disputes.
It is not known when the Bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council but reliable sources said it would be within two months.
Main points of the Bill are: No employer shall in any contract restrict the right of an employee
(a) to become a member of a trade union registered under the Trade Union Ordinance
(b) to participate in the affairs of any such trade union, whether or not as an official or (c) to associate with other persons for the purpose of forming and registering any such trade union.
No employer shall penalise or discriminate against any employee by reason of the employee
(a) being or becoming a member of a registered trade ❘ union.
(b) participating in the affairs of any such trade union, whether or not as an official,
ΟΥ
(c) association with other people for the purpose of forming and registering any such trade union.
The draft, a source said, was adopted from a part of the convention set up by the United Nations' International Labour Organisation.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.