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organisations and industrial and commercial employers on the introduction and operation of such methods.
Conciliation
1.
18. As regards conciliation, the existing staff, including the Senior Labour Officer (Industrial Relations) and the local conciliation officers, may require some re- inforcement, but I see no need at present for any
external advice on conciliation methods and procedures. Sufficient expertise already exists within the Department
of Labour. What remains to be determined is the policy
to be followed.
Candyla
One
19. The absence in Hong Kong of any effective arrange- ments except those of an essentially ad hoc character for
the settlement between workers and employers of trade disputes has already been adversely commented on by
local public opinion. The conciliation services of the
Department of Labour can only operate effectively if
early notification of disputes is received and the parties are ready to accept official intervention.
or both of these factors have been missing in important
recent trade disputes. The establishment of works
committees referred to earlier will go some way to remedy
the gaps in information and ensure earlier notification
of differences likely to give rise to difficulties. It is tempting to propose the re-inforcement of the existing law by provisions providing for compulsory notification
of disputes, but the difficulties are formidable not
least determining the point when a dispute has arisen. Arrangements for notification of disputes are customarily
linked with a prohibition for a stated period on strike
action. And without such a link it is doubtful whether
any provision for compulsory notification of disputes
could be effective. Whether a prohibition on strike action for a given period (say fourteen days) - a cooling off period not necessarily followed by arbitration unless
both parties agree - would be effective in Hong Kong would require careful examination locally, but such a
1.
/ limited
This recommendation has been accepted by the Hong Kong Government and a suitable specialist is now under consideration.
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