TNAG-0452-FCO40-517-Legislation-for-employment-of-workers-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 157

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1974

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HE SAID, +SUCH A QUALIFYING PERIOD MAY ALSO HAVE SOME BENEFICIAL EFFECT IN ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO REMAIN IN THEIR JOBS, SO REDUCING HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER – BUT, HÍOPEFULLY, WITHOUT, ENDANGER ING THE ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS MOBILITY OF LABOUR WHICH HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A STRONG FEATURE OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMY.+

HE SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT, IN CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAY. ONLY THE FIVE YEARS' SERVICE PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION i OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE COUNTED SO AS NOT TO PLACE TOO HEAVY AN

INITIAL LIABILITY ON EMPLOYERS.

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MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WOULD HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INQUIRE INTO, HEAR AND DETERMINE CLAIMS FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT.

IN CASE OF BANKRUPTCY, WINDING-UP AND LIQUIDATION, SEVERANCE PAYMENTS WOULD HAVE THE SAME PRIORITY AS WAGES, SALARY AND CROWN DEBTS WHEN IT CAME TO CLAIMS ON THE FIRM'S ASSETS.

THE DEBATE WAS ADJOURNED.