TNAG-0452-FCO40-517-Legislation-for-employment-of-workers-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 15

1034 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

17th July 1974

(Amend-

[SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES (ACTING)] Employme

ment) (No 3) Bill- second reading

in these other countries, should enable Hong Kong to comply in full with the Convention.

The bill makes it an offence for an employer or his agent either to refuse to employ, to penalize, or to dismiss an employee by reason of an employee exercising his right to be a member or officer of a trade union or to take part in its legitimate activities at an "appropriate time", or to set up a union together with others. The "appropriate time" in which an employee may take part in the activities of a trade union is defined as time which is either outside his working hours or as time within his working hours specifically arranged by agreement with his employer.

It should be made clear that union activities may only take place on the employers' premises with his permission.

Since provisions of the type proposed confer general rights, this new Part of the ordinance will apply to all employees, whether or not employed in manual labour and irrespective of the amount of their pay.

Motion made. That the debate on the second reading of the bill be adjourned-SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES (ACTING).

Question put and agreed to.

BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1974

MR BELL moved the second reading of: "A bill to amend the Buildings Ordinance.'

•

He said:

""

the main purpose of this bill is to give recognition to persons who carry out professional duties in the preparation of building plans submitted to the Building Authority for approval, and to make such persons fully responsible for these services, including the supervision of the construction.

At present the statutory title of those responsible for these services is the "Authorized Architect" which does not distinguish between the different professions capable of doing the work. This is misleading to the public in that an individual is not provided with a method of registration which clarifies his training and qualifications. The bill

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