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The Occupational Deafness (Compensation) (Amendment) Bill 2009 is gazetted today (May 22) and will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 3. The amendments seek to improve the compensation for persons with occupational deafness under the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance and to adjust the rate and proportions of distribution of the Employees' Compensation Insurance (ECI) Levy charged under the Employees' Compensation Insurance Levies Ordinance.
With the amendments, the following three improvement measures will be introduced to the Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme (ODC Scheme):-
(i) to extend the coverage of compensation to employees who have developed noise induced deafness in only one ear because of their employment;
(ii) to increase the maximum reimbursable amount for the expenses incurred in purchasing, repairing and replacing hearing assistive devices; and
(iii) to provide further compensation for claimants whose hearing loss deteriorates as a result of continued employment in noisy occupations.
Currently, the Employees' Compensation Insurance Levies Management Board charges on the premium of each ECI policy taken out by employers an ECI Levy at the rate of 6.3% for distribution to three statutory bodies, namely, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board (ODCB), the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board (ECAFB) and the Occupational Safety and Health Council. The Government now proposes to adjust the ECI Levy to be distributed to the ECAFB upwards from 2.5% to 3.1%, and that for the ODCB downwards from 1.8% to 0.7%. By effecting the changes, the overall ECI Levy rate would be reduced from 6.3% to 5.8%.
The adjustment in the rate and proportions of distribution of the levy is made in the light of the income and expenditure patterns of the three statutory bodies concerned. The Government has also taken into consideration the views of different groups before coming up with the three improvement measures under the ODC Scheme.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:01
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