ENG-1961 — Page 74

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EMPLOYMENT

Two field surveys were made among industrial workers to deter- mine the incidence of sickness. Replies to questionnaires indicated a prevalence rate of approximately 2% and revealed an unex- pectedly high proportion of concerns granting sick leave on full pay to regular employees.

Three Health Visitors conduct case work on those injured in occupational accidents and act in liaison with hospitals, factories, and other officers of the Labour Department who deal with work- men's compensation. Many of these injured require urgent rehabi- litation and the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation accordingly plans to establish a permanent centre in Kwun Tong, with physio- therapy facilities, an occupational therapy unit, and accommoda- tion for 80 residents.

Industrial welfare. An increasing number of industrial manage- ments have come to realize the importance of welfare facilities for their employees, and many have progressed beyond the minimum standards required by the Labour Department. First aid equipment and drinking water must be provided if a factory is to be registered and the department insists on the inclusion of dining and rest rooms in plans for new factories. Clinics are provided in many of the larger concerns and medical attention is sometimes offered free of charge to both employees and their families. Free or subsidized meals are commonly provided by managements and free or cheap accommodation is usually offered to workers in the larger factories. Some firms employ full-time welfare officers whilst others organize cinema and opera shows and provide facilities for football, basketball, and swimming. Adult education is sometimes arranged with free or subsidized tuition for employees' children. There are also voluntary organizations, which provide hostels and playgrounds catering specifically for industrial workers.

Workmen's compensation. The Workmen's Compensation Or- dinance, 1953, stipulates the minimum compensation payable to workmen injured in the course of employment and to the de- pendants of those who are killed. Compensation agreements are witnessed in the Labour Department and help is offered to workers when the amount is disputed and has to be determined in court. $1,840,608.10 was paid during the year to 6,522 injured workmen and a total of $670,177.32 was awarded as compensation to dependants in fatal cases.