XN000022-1973-10-22 — Page 9

8

Monday, October 22, 1973

IRS HELPS SETTLE 863 LABOUR DISPUTES

**

The Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department helped

settle 863 of the 1,201 disputes in the third quarter of this year,

During the same period, 268 disputes were referred to the Labour Tribunal.

The remainder of the disputes were either withdrawn by the

applicants or settled by direct negotiation.

The head of the Labour Relations Service, Mr. T,F. Tsui, said

that as a result of agreements reached in meetings conducted by conciliation

officers, 4,125 workers received a sum of $2,738,287 as arrears of wages,

payment in lieu of notice, and ex-gratia severance pay.

"Severance pay for the workers in the Gilda Fashions dispute

alone accounted for $390,000," he said.

He noted that most labour disputes during the quarter had arisen

out of disagreement over wage rates, changes in conditions of employment,

dismissals, prolonged lay-offs, insolvency on the part of the employers,

or mutual misunderstanding.

In settling 21 of the 25 major labour disputes, he said, officers

of the Service conducted a total of 92 lengthy joint meetings, and made

41 visits to the sites of disputes.

"In addition, they handled 4,766 consultations and enquiries

from both workers and management," he added.

די

H H

Q

-

19

H