FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1975
GOVT MAY BE AUTHORISED TO INTERVENE
IN LABOUR DISPUTES
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR, IAN PRICE, TODAY ANNOUNCED PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR DEALING WITH SERIOUS LABOUR DISPUTES IN HONG KONG.
THIS WILL GIVE THE GOVERNMENT POWER TO INTERVENE IN AN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE — BUT NOT TO IMPOSE A COMPULSORY SETTLEMENT.
THE LABOUR RELATIONS BILL, PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, PROVIDES FOR THE
X
☀
X
APPOINTMENT OF A PUBLICLY-NAMED SPECIAL CONCILIATOR+ TO TRY TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE WHEN ORDINARY CONCILIATION HAS FAILED.
REFERENCE OF A DISPUTE TO VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION IF SPECIAL CONCILIATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL, OR, AS AN ALTERNATIVE-
# SETTING UP OF A BOARD OF INQUIRY, WITH JUDICIAL POWERS,
TO EXAMINE AND REPORT ON THE DISPUTE.
* IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND PARALLEL WITH OTHER PROCEDURES
TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE, A SPECIFIED COOLING-OFF PERIOD COULD BE ORDERED DURING WHICH ANY PARTIES TO THE DISPUTE -INCLUDING A TRADE UNION MUST CEASE OR DEFER INDUSTRIAL ACTION OR RESUME NORMAL WORK IF A STOPPAGE HAS OCCURRED.
MR. PRICE SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL COULD ORDER AN INITIAL COOLING-OFF PERIOD OF 30 DAYS, WHICH COULD BE EXTENDED BY ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO A MAXIMUM OF 60 DAYS, IF CONSIDERED NECESSARY,
HE SAID THAT SUCH AN ORDER COULD BE MADE ONLY WHEN THE SITUATION ARISING OUT OF A DISPUTE WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION IN THE SUPPLY OF GOODS OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES WHICH MAY :-
*
BE GRAVELY INJURIOUS TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, OR SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PERSONS- OR
* CREATE A SERIOUS RISK OF PUBLIC DISORDER OR SERIOUSLY JEOPARDISE THE INTERNAL SECURITY OF HONG KONG OR
*
ENDANGER THE LIVES OF A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PERSONS OR EXPOSE THEM TO SERIOUS RISK OF DISEASE OR PERSONAL INJURY
MR. PRICE SAID