A PRIVATE member's bill on long-service payments - the issue over which Mr Lau resigned - was lodged yesterday by the pro-China labour representative, Tam Yiu-chung.
Mr Tam, who abstained on Mr Lau's proposed amendment to raise the payment ceiling to $230,000, said he wanted to speed up modification of the employment ordinance.
Mr Tam's bill suggests scrapping the limit on the number of years counted towards a severance payment, but maintaining the ceiling at $180,000.
The proposal is similar to the Government's bill, which was withdrawn by the Secretary for Manpower and Education, Michael Leung Man-kin, on Wednesday after members approved Mr Lau's amendment to raise the ceiling to $230,000. The only difference is that the government proposal still limits the number of years of service to 24.
Mr Tam said he put together his proposal because he did not think Mr Lau's amendment would pass the final stage.
He said: 'I have taken into account that even though I have not altered the payment ceiling, more than 90 per cent of workers earning average monthly salaries will benefit.' Mr Tam said he would welcome alternatives to his private bill, including any from the Democratic Party or the Government. His bill is expected to be tabled for first reading in January.
