Compensation levels increased for work injuries and occupational diseases
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The Legislative Council today (March 1) passed three resolutions to increase the amounts of a total of 18 compensation items under the ECO, the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance (PMCO) and the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance (ODCO). The revised levels of compensation will take effect from April 1, 2017.
"According to the established mechanism, the levels of compensation under the ECO, the PMCO and the ODCO are adjusted every two years where appropriate. Broadly speaking, for most of the compensation items, adjustments (if required) to the amounts are normally made in the light of the wage movement as reflected by the Nominal Wage Index or the price movement as reflected by the Consumer Price Index (A) in the relevant period, whereas the amounts of some compensation items are adjusted having regard to other relevant factors," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
Through this round of adjustment, the amounts of a total of 18 compensation items under the three ordinances will be increased, ranging from 5.68 per cent to 10.84 per cent. Details are in the Appendix.
The commencement of the new levels of compensation can enhance the protection for injured employees, sufferers of occupational diseases and family members of employees or persons who died of work injuries or occupational diseases.
Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:40
Issued at HKT 16:40
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