XN000022-1993-01-29 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1993

GOVT EXTENDS TENDER AWARD

IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE TWO LOWEST TENDERERS FOR THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION CONTRACT HAVE AGREED TO EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF THEIR TENDERS BEYOND THE CURRENT EXPIRY DATE OF FEBRUARY 1 TO MARCH 8, 1993.

THE EXTENSION IS INTENDED TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT MORE TIME TO CONSIDER ITS OPTIONS ON THE CONTRACT, IN LINE WITH 1TS STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO DECISIONS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.

THE RECLAMATION IS PARTLY DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE TERMINUS OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, BUT IT IS ALSO DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NEW FOR EXPANSION OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT,

LAND

LABOUR DEPT COMMENDED FOR HARD AND IMPARTIAL WORK IN DISPUTE

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THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE STAFF OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE WORKED LONG AND HARD TO BRING ABOUT A SETTLEMENT OF THE CATHAY PACIFIC DISPUTE.

THEY HAVE WORKED WITH BOTH SIDES THROUGHOUT AND HAVE DONE

SO WITH IMPARTIALITY AND GREAT PROFESSIONALISM.

"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TEAM HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TOGETHER. THE FACT THAT MANY OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN SETTLED IS DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO THE WORK OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

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"I REJECT ABSOLUTELY THE ALLEGATION THAT THEY HAVE FAVOURED ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. THEY HAVE BEEN IMPARTIAL THROUGHOUT, MR WIGGHAM SAID.

HE ADDED THAT LABOUR DISPUTES OF THIS NATURE WERE PRIMARILY A MATTER FOR THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

"

"THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IS ΤΟ WORK EVEN-HANDEDLY WITH BOTH SIDES TO HELP THEM SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES. THE CONCILIATION SERVICES MUST BE IMPARTIAL BUT IT CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF THE A DISPUTE WANT IT TO.

PARTIES

TO

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