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Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme enhanced

The Occupational Deafness (Compensation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2003 was gazetted today (May 16) to enhance benefits under the Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme, with a package of improvements to take immediate effect today.

The improvement package includes the following:

  • Adjusting upwards the minimum and maximum levels of compensation in accordance with the rate of increase in Nominal Wage Index.
  • Revising upwards the percentage of permanent incapacity whilst maintaining the maximum level at 60 per cent in determining the amount of compensation.
  • People who are successful in obtaining compensation can apply to the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in purchasing, repairing and replacing hearing assistive devices subject to a reimbursable ceiling of $9,000 for the initial purchase and an aggregate ceiling of $18,000 per applicant.
  • Extending the compensation under the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance to four more occupations if they fulfil other conditions stipulated under the Ordinance. These occupations are:

    1. Slaughterhouse employees working in the immediate vicinity of electric stunning of pigs for the purpose of slaughter;
    2. Mahjong parlour workers employed to play mahjong as the main duty;
    3. Bartenders and waiters working near the dancing area in discotheques; and
    4. Disc jockeys working in discotheques.

  • In determining a claimant's earnings for the purpose of calculating the compensation payable, the Board can disregard no-pay leave taken by the claimant with the consent of the employer during the last 12 months of employment in aggregate. This can better reflect the average earnings of claimants.

Expenses in relation to hearing assistive devices apply only in respect of expenses of the acquisition, fitting, repair or maintenance of a hearing assistive device incurred on or after the commencement of the Occupational Deafness (Compensation)(Amendment) Ordinance 2003 on May 16. Relevant applications should be made witnin a period of 12 months after the expenses were incurred. If the hearing assistive device is a hearing aid, it must be purchased on the recommendation of qualified professionals. The Board will designate the categories of persons who may give such an advice.

As applications for compensation should be made within 12 months after leaving employment, eligible employees of the four new specified noisy occupations are reminded to apply as soon as possible.

The amendment ordinance also empowered the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board to carry out rehabilitation programmes.

Enquiries on details of the Scheme administered by the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board can be made at 2723 1288.