TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 97

JOINT ASSOCIATIONS COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

908 909′′UNION HOUSE NOOM 2005, ASIAN HOUSE HONG KONG

• ANNEX C

TELEPHONE

NO.

222434

.HON35

G. P. O. BOX NO. 2067

The Hon. Commissioner for Labour,

Labour Department,

Lee Gardens,

Hysan Avenue,

Hong Kong

Dear Sir,

4th April, 1978.

Reberacting

The Green Paper Help Those Least

Able to Help Themselves

The Joint Associations Committee have considered the proposals cover- ing"Sickness, Injury & Death Benefit Scheme" set out in Chapter 8 of the above Green Paper.

In general.ve feel that there is insufficient detail contained in the paper on which to make detailed comment, but have nevertheless come to some con- clusions which are set out below.

1) We are sympathetic to the principle that there should be financial

protection against sickness and death for all workers.

2

We are opposed to a voluntary scheme. We believe that this is against insurance principles and will tend to attract only those persons most likely to benefit.

3) We also think that a voluntary schere would be complicated and

consequently very expensive to administer.

4) Consideration may be made to the possibility of introducing addi-

tional sickness benefits into the Employment Ordinance, covering the proposals made in the Green Paper. Cost would be for the en- ployer.

5) Also consideration to a death in employment scheme (other than

accident) - a scheme which allows the family of a worker who dies under the age of 55 to be paid, say, one month's salary for each year under 65, e.g..if he died at 35, his family would receive 30 months' salary.

6) We do not at this juncture support a provident fund scheme without a very careful actuarial study. A very serious problem would be: how members of a provident fund schere still in employment be awarded if at all should China invoke the 1997 treaty date.

We

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