XN000022-1975-08-01 — Page 2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1975

NEW LABOUR RELATIONS LAW EFFECTIVE TODAY

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THE LABOUR RELATIONS BILL -- PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY -- COMES INTO FORCE TODAY.

THE NEW LEGISLATION, PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, GIVES THE GOVERNMENT POWER TO INTERVENE IN AN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE, BUT NOT TO IMPOSE A COMPULSORY SETTLEMENT.

IT PROVIDES HONG KONG WITH PROCEDURES FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES WITH THE MINIMUM OF SOCIAL FRICTION OR ECONOMIC DISRUPTION.

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE WILL BE ISSUED TO EXPLAIN THE NEW ORDINANCE IN SIMPLE TERMS.

THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED ON MARCH 21 FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 7.

ALTHOUGH THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE BILL REMAIN THE SAME, A NUMBER OF CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC COMMENT SINCE THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED.

THE NEW ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A SERIES OF STEPS FOR DEALING WITH INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES, THEY ARE:

* CONCILIATION PROVIDED, AS USUAL, BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS

SERVICE,

* SPECIAL CONCILIATION BY A SPECIAL CONCILIATOR, TO BE PUBLICLY NAMED, WHEN ORDINARY CONCILIATION FAILS-

*

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VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH PARTIES, IF SPECIAL CONCILIATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL= OR, AS AN ALTERNATIVE-

* A BOARD OF INQUIRY, WITH JUDICIAL POWERS, TO EXAMINE AND

REPORT ON THE DISPUTE.

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IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND IN COMPANY WITH A BOARD OF INQUIRY, ARBITRATION OR OTHER ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR THE

• GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY ORDER A 30-DAY COOLING-OFF" PERIOD DURING WHICH ALL PARTIES TO THE DISPUTE MUST STOP ANY FORM OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION.

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY EXTEND THIS 30-DAY PERIOD BY A FURTHER 30 DAYS IF HE CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY, BUT NOT BEYOND,

/FOLLOWING