Hong Kong Federation of Insurers & Hong Kong Mediation Council announced the successful completion of the New Insurance Mediation Pilot Scheme
3/11/2011
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI) and the Hong Kong Mediation Council (HKMC) jointly announced today (3 November 2011) the successful completion of the New Insurance Mediation Pilot Scheme (NIMPS).
The NIMPS was first launched in 2007 with a view to promoting the use of mediation in resolving employees' compensation and work related personal injury claims. The Scheme has successfully resolved 34 dispute cases, 9 through mediation and 25 by direct negotiation.
"We are delighted to see that NIMPS has served its purpose of demonstrating the benefits of mediation and how it should work in the context of Hong Kong," said Mr Alex Chu, Chairman of the HKFI at the Wrap Up Ceremony today. "It is time to bring this pilot scheme to a close and let the market develop a working model which is commercially viable and sustainable."
Mr Chu's views were echoed by Mr B W Chan, Chairman of the HKMC, "We look forward to seeing mediation taking root in Hong Kong for the benefits of the public and the business sector."
The Wrap Up Ceremony held today was officiated by the Honourable Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare. "I am pleased to see the increasing use of mediation as an alternative, effective means of resolving employees’ compensation insurance claim disputes. Mediation promotes mutual understanding and foster goodwill. I believe the successful completion of the Pilot Scheme will mark a good start for the healthy development of the mediation channel," remarked Mr Cheung.
Among the honourable guests at the ceremony were the Honourable Mr Justice Barnabas Fung and the Honourable Mr Justice Johnson Lam. We also had an injured worker, social worker, mediator and representative of an insurance company sharing their personal experience in the use of mediation. Their stories and details of the NIMPS are enclosed.
Members of the public may contact the Joint Mediation Helpline Office at 2901 1224 for assistance in mediation services in the future (website: http://www.jointmediationhelpline.org.hk).