The Liberal Party said it would have to reconsider its support for a government proposal to allow workers sacked illegally to claim reinstatement, if such rights were extended.
The proposal covers five groups: those sacked during pregnancy, during paid sick leave, after a work-related injury, after giving evidence to enforce labour legislation or after exercising trade union rights.
Under such circumstances, the Labour Tribunal could order an employer to reinstate a worker.
But legislator Chan Yuen-han, of the Federation of Trade Unions, sponsored an amendment yesterday to the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2000 to extend the categories to cover staff sacked for taking part in a strike.
Labour officials expressed reservation and the Liberal Party was strongly opposed.
At a Legco manpower panel meeting yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Labour Alfred Chan Wing-kit said such a move had wide implications.