XN000022-1973-02-24 — Page 2

Saturday, February 24, 1973

LABOUR TRIBUNAL COMES INTO OPERATION ON MARCH 1

The Labour Tribunal, which aims at providing a quick, inexpensive

and informal method of settling certain types of disputes between workers

and employers, will come into operation next Thursday.

It will be presided by Mr. Michael K.C. Wong, a former Senior

Crown Counsel.

The Labour Tribunal will be part of the Judiciary.

It will deal mostly with claims by individual workers against

employers for money due either under a contract of employment, the

Employment Ordinance or other laws named in the Ordinance.

However, it will not have power to deal or interfere with

industrial disputes, strikes, lock-outs or negotiations between employers

and groups of workers or trade unions.

These matters will still be solved by normal conciliation procedures

with the help of the Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department.

A spokesman for the Labour Department said the Tribunal, which

starts receiving applications from 9 a.m. on March 1, would in no way

supersede the Labour Relations Service.

"It will infact be complementary to it and should strengthen the

hands of the department's conciliation officers," he added.

A simple guide explaining to employers and employees the function

of the Tribunal can be obtained free of charge from any branch office of the

Labour Department and from City District Offices.

Any person who wants to make enquiries or seek further information

may call at the Tribunal at Permanent Confort Building, Noe. 74-77 Connaught

Road Central, first floor, or telephone H-436666.

12