Funeral subsidy raised

The funeral subsidy for workers who die from the lung disease pneumoconiosis has been raised from $16,000 to $35,000. An attempt by unionist Lee Cheuk-yan to raise the amount to $50,000 was voted down. Mr Lee's amendment was passed by 14 votes to 10 in the group comprising directly elected and Election Committee legislators, but rejected by 21 votes to five in the functional constituency group. The amendment required majority support in the two votes. Secretary for Education and Manpower, Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, said the $35,000 was in line with subsidies for workers dying from occupational disease.