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Role in handling labour disputes explained
In response to press enquiries concerning the Judiciary's report on the review of the operation of the Labour Tribunal, a spokesman for the Labour Department today (Thursday) clarified the stand and role of the department in handling labour disputes.
The spokesman said the department's Labour Relations Division helped both employers and employees settle disputes arising from their contracts of employment.
"Our officers act as impartial conciliators in labour disputes. Through conciliation meetings, they help both parties to reach agreements on the terms of settlement.
"Participation in conciliation is entirely voluntary and its success depends on the understanding and co-operation of the parties concerned.
"Conciliation officers do not have the mandate to adjudicate the claims. Where no agreement on settlement can be reached through conciliation, both parties to the claim have the power provided by statute to refer their claims to the Labour Tribunal for adjudication," he explained.
The department adopts a very serious attitude towards non-compliance of statutory provisions. All complaints are investigated and prosecutions will be taken out where there is sufficient evidence.
The department also adopts an active approach on law enforcement. Labour Inspectors visit places of employment regularly to ensure compliance.
In 1994, there were 3,422 convictions of offences involving failure to pay employment benefits under the Employment Ordinance.
"To provide the public with a fast and simple machinery for settling labour disputes and to assist the Labour Tribunal in handling minor claims, the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board was set up in late December last year to adjudicate claims up to $5,000," he said.
Since its operation, the Board has cleared all the backlog cases in this category transferred from the Labour Tribunal.
End/Thursday, May 4, 1995