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Agreement on CMB workers' retirement benefits reached
The management and staff representatives of the China Motor Bus (CMB) Company have reached an agreement on workers' retirement benefits at a resumed meeting tonight (Saturday). The Special Conciliation Officer, Mrs Chan Mak Kit-ling, and Senior Labour officer of the Labour Department, Mr Stephen Leung Mak-kwan, also attended the meeting.
The meeting started at 8.10 pm and lasted for about two and a half hours.
Mrs Chan welcomed the agreement. She said that the trade dispute between the management of the bus company and its employees was settled through frank and sincere negotiation.
A draft agreement covering the terms of settlements has been initialled by the two parties immediately after the meeting. A formal agreement will be signed next week.
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Announcement of regulations on labour exportation welcomed
The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong today (Saturday) welcomed the announcement made by China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTEC) on a series of new regulations on the control and monitoring of contract workers exported from China to Hong Kong.
"This comprehensive series of regulations set out clear guidelines covering aspects like selection of personnel, labour service fees, contract-signing, contract obligations, penalties, registration of labour service companies under Hong Kong law, and prohibition of the use of 'middleman'. This will increase the transparency and effectiveness of the control procedures of labour exportation and reinforce the safeguards against abuses under Hong Kong's labour importation schemes," Mr Wong said.
"The Hong Kong Government is committed to protecting the rights and benefits of workers imported under our labour importation schemes. The Government has, through its liaison efforts, built up a close rapport with authorities of the labour exporting countries over the regulation of the labour exportation activities, so that any problems can be resolved promptly through co-operation." He added.
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