XN000022-1996-01-12 — Page 7

- 5 -

The imported workers affected by the retrenchment will collect the ex-gratia payment together with all other statutory benefits under the Employment Ordinance at the Airport Authority office at Lok On Pai, Tuen Mun, at 9.30 am tomorrow (Saturday).

The workers were made redundant because the works contract of Success Civil and Foundation Company Limited had been terminated by BCJ Joint Venture in November 1995.

End

Retrenchment of imported Chinese workers

The Government today (Friday) confirmed that four sub-contractors for the West Kowloon Expressway's southern section have this afternoon terminated the employment of 72 imported Chinese workers.

The Labour Department is providing conciliation services and is holding a meeting with workers' representatives and the four sub-contractors at the site.

A government spokesman said the principal contractor, Aoki Corporation, had indicated that the workers were being retrenched because the works carried out by these four sub-contractors had been substantially completed.

The four sub-contractors are Hop Shing Transport and Construction Co, Wing Fender Construction Co and Albert Tse Kee Construction Engineering Co, Engineering Survey Ltd.

Under the Employment Ordinance, employers may terminate the employment contract of their employees by giving the required notice or payment in lieu of notice, and all sums due to an employee such as wages for work done, overtime pay, statutory holiday pay, pro-rata annual leave pay and where appropriate, travel costs and so on.

Under the normal rules of the labour importation scheme, the imported workers will have to return to China, their country of origin. In doing so, the contractor and the Labour Department are taking steps to ensure that the workers are paid in full compliance with the laws of Hong Kong and the terms of their employment contracts.

End