The Labour Department today announced that the levels of 18 types of compensation available to employees injured at work or suffering from occupational diseases, and to family members of deceased employees, will be increased on April 17.

The Legislative Council yesterday passed three resolutions to increase such compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, the Pneumoconiosis & Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance and the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance.

The levels of increase for the 18 types of compensation range from 3.8% to 86.3%.

The department said the compensation levels are adjusted every two years, according to an established mechanism. Adjustments for most types of compensation are normally made in light of wage movements, as reflected in the Nominal Wage Index, or of price movements, as reflected in the Consumer Price Index.

It added that the increased levels of compensation will enhance protections for employees injured at work, sufferers of occupational diseases, family members of deceased employees, and family members of people who die due to work injuries or occupational diseases.