XN000022-1973-11-21 — Page 7

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Wednesday, November 21, 1973

INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO STEP UP PRODUCTIVITY

The Commissioner of Labour, Mr. I.R. Price, today urged Hong

Kong industrial experts to look to increased productivity as one means

of improving the community's quality of life.

"Productivity is not an end in itself," he said. "It is only

part of the pursuit of greater efficiency and of overall social goals,

such as a better working environment in the broadest possible sense.

"By this I mean greater safety at work, improved working conditions,

reduction in environmental working hazards, reduction of work monotony

and an increase in real wages.

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Mr. Price was delivering the inaugural address at an Industrial

Relations Seminar in Hong Kong sponsored by the International Labour

Organisation and NORAD -- the Norwegian Agency for International Development.

The two-day seminar is being attended by representatives of

management, unions, and the government, and experts from universities and

other educational bodies.

The seminar will discuss effective management and labour relations

in the context of productivity.

Hr. Price told the seminar he hoped it would also take as one

of its aims the more specific definition of the social benefits which

could be achieved by greater productivity.

"I suggest that it is only when this important step has been taken

that it is possible, by tripartite discussions of the kind to be held during

this seminar, to enhance greater productivity consciousness among employers

and management, workers and unions, and in government.

"I have