XN000022-1973-08-13 — Page 8

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Monday, August 13, 1973

LABOUR DEPARTMENT HELPS SETTLE DISPUTES

There were 375 labour disputes in Hong Kong during the month of

July - four fewer than in the same month last year.

The Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department helped employers

and workers to settle 281 of the disputes within the month.

The head of the Service, Mr. T.F. Tsui, said today that as a result

of agreements reached at eonciliation meetings conducted by his officers

during the month, 2,302 employees had received a total of $1,072,071,

Of this total, 14.7 per cent was paid by employers as outstanding

wages, payment in lieu of notice, statutory holiday pay and bonuses.

The other 85.3 per cent some $914,000 - was paid as severance

pay and other ex-gratia payments,

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Mr. Tsui said that last month his staff handled 1,461 consultations

and enquiries about labour laws, industrial relations and personnel management,

"We also visited 14 more factories and offices to help employers and

employees set up joint consultative machinery to strengthen communications

between labour and management", he said.

"This sort of machinery gives workers and management a chance to

discuss their problems and iron out their difficulties before they get to the

stage of industrial trouble".

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