ENG-1953 — Page 152

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953

unable to show the rent he demanded was a lawful one. Provisions was made for a

a re-print of the Ordinance as amended, and a 1953 re-print was issued.

Workmen's Compensation: Ordinance No. 28 affects all persons, with certain specified exceptions, engaged in the scheduled employments who are manual workers, or non- manual workers earning less than $700 per month. Compen- sation is for death (payable to dependants) or for personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the workmen's employment. It is payable by the employer. With the exception of periodical payments for temporary incapacity, which may by direction of the Commissioner of Labour be paid direct to the workman, all distribution of compensation is effected through the Courts. Except in the case of death the amount of compensation may be agreed between the workman and his employer subject to the agreement being approved by the Commissioner of Labour. If agreement is not reached the workman may enforce his claim in the District Court, where the procedure to be followed is designed to help the litigant in person. The workman retains his right to sue for damages any person whose wrongful act was the cause of his injury, but he may not recover both damages and compensation under the Ordinance. Insurance is not compulsory under the Ordin- ance, but it is an offence to make deductions from wages for the purpose of paying insurance premiums. The Ordinance came into operation on the 1st December, 1953.

120