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Monday, May 1, 1972
LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE HELPS SETTLE
972 Disputes In First Quarter Of 1972
During the first quarter of 1972, the Labour Relations Service
of the Labour Department helped settle 972 disputes out of a total
of 1,365, a settlement rate of 71.2 per cent.
Mr. T.F. Tsui, Senior Labour Officer in charge of the Labour
Relations Division, said: "This rate is high considering the fact that
all cases brought to the Service were dealt with."
As a result of settlements reached a total of $3,039,075 was
paid to 5,253 workers as arrears of wages, payment in lieu of notice
under the Employment Ordinance or as ex gratia severance pay.
Most labour problems arose out of disagreement over wage
rates, changes in conditions of employment, dismissals, prolonged
lay-off on redundancy and insolvency of the employer or simply mutual
misunderstanding.
The 15 strikes which occurred during the quarter accounted
for a total loss of 6,658 man-days compared with the quarterly average
of 5,301 for 1971/72.
In settling practically all of the 40 big labour disputes which
occurred during the quarter, Mr. Tsui said, "Officers of the Labour Relations
Service conducted a total of 82 joint meetings of an average duration of
hours each and made 37 visits to the sites of these disputes."
"In addition, the Service responded to 5,230 consultations and
enquiries initiated by workers and employers. Officers of the Service
visited 29 industrial and commercial establishments to encourage managements
to introduce joint consultations," he said.
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