XN000022-1993-10-25 — Page 10

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993

RECOMMENDATIONS ON HK'S LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM

MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) WERE TODAY (MONDAY) BRIEFED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN HONG KONG AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE REVIEW.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS AIM TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE AND TO OFFER FURTHER PROTECTION то EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS.

SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA AFTER THE LAB MEETING, THE BOARD CHAIRMAN WHO IS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID THE REVIEW WAS LAUNCHED AFTER THE GOVERNOR HAD ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TO CONSIDER WHAT LESSONS MIGHT BE LEARNED FROM THE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LABOUR DISPUTE WHICH OCCURRED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.

MRS FOK SAID: "THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD LOOKED INTO A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING ΤΟ THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY."

"THESE INCLUDE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSAL, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, RIGHT TO STRIKE, AND PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST ANTI-UNION DISCRIMINATION.'

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AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW, A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE SO THAT THE GENERALLY HARMONIOUS STATE OF LABOUR RELATIONS MIGHT BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED, AND TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES.

ON PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR NOTED THAT THE EXISTING DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES HAVE ON THE WHOLE BEEN WORKING EFFECTIVELY. BUT THERE IS ROOM TO MAKE THEM MORE FLEXIBLE AND EASIER TO APPLY WHEN NEEDED.

IN THIS REGARD, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER. FOR LABOUR MAY,

WHEN SHE CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY, SUBMIT A REPORT OF A LABOUR DISPUTE TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT BY A CONCILIATION OFFICER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL CONCILIATION OFFICER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.

"THIS PROPOSAL AIMS AT PUTTING GREATER PRESSURE ON THE DISPUTING PARTIES, WHERE IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES TO DO SO, TO COME TO AN EARLY SETTLEMENT THROUGH ORDINARY CONCILIATION," MRS FOK EXPLAINED.

MRS FOK SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH A MEDIATION PROCEDURE UNDER THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE IN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER COULD APPOINT A MEDIATOR FROM A LIST OF NEUTRAL PERSONS TO MEDIATE IN DISPUTES.

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"UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE COMMISSIONER IS EMPOWERED TO REFER LABOUR DISPUTE TO MEDIATION BY A MEDIATOR WITHOUT SEEKING CONSENT FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED.

/"THE MERIT

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