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The Mong Kok site was selected for its convenient position, which is well served by a network of public transportation.
The Tribunal Registry and the Accounts Office will be open from 9.15 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4.15 pm on weekdays, and on Saturdays from 9.15 am to 12.15 pm. A new hotline 2625 0205 will operate from Monday.
Reviewing the performance of the Labour Tribunal, the spokesman said significant improvements had been made.
"The backlog of 2,576 cases as at April last year has been cleared by the middle of this month. The appointment diary of 110 days in April 1995, before a claim may be filed, has been cleared.
"A claimant may file a claim in the Tribunal at any time without having to make an appointment," he said.
Nevertheless, the Tribunal is maintaining an appointment system for the claimant to see the Tribunal Officer in connection with the preparation of his case.
The spokesman said: "The system is maintained for the convenience and interest of the claimant. He can file his claim and see the Tribunal Officer on the same day without having to come on another occasion or without having to wait until a Tribunal Officer becomes available."
At present, the waiting time in the appointment register is about one week. This will also ensure that the referral from the Labour Department would have reached the Tribunal Officer before he interviews the claimant and the claimant to prepare his
case.
"A claimant who files his claim without making an appointment will have the same hearing date as one who makes an appointment on the same day and then files his claim on the date of the appointment after seeing the Tribunal Officer. In both cases, their claims will be heard within 30 days," he said.
The spokesman attributed the improvements to procedural reforms, tighter control of the appointment diary, better case management, dedication of the presiding officers, tribunal officers and supporting staff in committing themselves to clearing the backlog.
The Tribunal also adopted a new philosophy in case management.