XN000022-1996-01-31 — Page 2

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Closer communication between LAB and LegCo important

While the outcome of the Legislative Council's debate on protection of wages on insolvency was disappointing, it was important to note that nearly half of the members who had voted supported the Government's amendment and the proposal put forward by the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) and the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund Board,

This was stated today (Wednesday) by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, after the Government's amendment to the resolution moved by the Hon Lee Cheuk-yan under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance was voted down marginally by one vote.

Mr Wong noted that even many LegCo members who voted against the amendment had stated in their speeches that they respected the present tripartite mechanism and some even said they considered the proposal put forward by LAB and the Fund Board reasonable.

"Those supported the Government made up of a vast majority of independent

members.

"Through this debate a clear message has been sent, that is it is in our interest to preserve the present tripartite system through which employers and employees representatives can hold rational discussions before reaching a proposal and the Government to continue taking a mediating role," he said.

"I hope that there would not be a repeat of a similar voting, but let us not be carried away by the result of this voting. It was only a difference of one vote and it could have swung in either way had some members been present or some member voted differently.'

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Mr Wong stressed that it was more important to look forward to see whether the present arrangement could be strengthened.

"Indeed, I have already initiated a process of informal discussions with labour and employer representatives and some of the political parties to see on what basis we can build on the present mechanism and to improve communication between LAB and the LegCo," he said.

End