"We also propose under this bill to introduce a mediation procedure to empower the Commissioner for Labour to refer a dispute to mediation without seeking the prior consent of the parties concerned," he said.
As regards the Trade Unions (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, Mr Cheung pointed out that the bill sought to extend the existing immunity for registered trade unions. from civil litigation in respect of any act done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute to cover individual employers, employees, officials and members of trade unions who are involved in a trade dispute.
End
UN assured of human rights protection in HK
Fundamental human rights enshrined in international treaties and guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law will continue to be protected and valued in Hong Kong, Deputy Solicitor General, Mr Stephen Wong, told the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva on Monday (Geneva time).
In an opening statement to the first day hearing of the committee examining the 14th periodic report on Hong Kong under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Mr Wong, leader of the Hong Kong team forming part of the British delegation, highlighted several developments in the territory since the examination of the 13th report last March.
Updating committee members on the progress of the Government's study on racial discrimination, he said a consultation document to gauge public opinion on the issue had been released.
He said members of the public has been asked to submit their views by the end of April and that the Administration is "on target" to report to the Legislative Council within the current legislative session.
On the question of nationality in relation to the territory's ethnic minorities, Mr Wong said the United Kingdom Government's decision to grant full citizenship to members of the ethnic minority who are solely British nationals had been warmly welcomed by all in Hong Kong.