XN000022-1996-07-17 — Page 13

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"By empowering them to issue summonses for marine littering offences, they will be able to deal with the floating refuse problem in and around the FCZs more effectively.

"The containment of the floating refuse problem will help reduce its adverse effect on navigation and other marine activities such as water sports and mariculture.

"It will also reduce the marine littering problem in the harbour which is an eyesore not only to local residents, but also visitors from other countries."

End

Payroll and wage statistics for first quarter 1996

Average labour earnings covering all major sectors surveyed, as measured by payroll per person engaged, recorded an increase of 11.1% in nominal terms in the first quarter of 1996 over a year earlier, according to statistics released today (Wednesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

terms.

After discounting changes in consumer prices, the increase was 4,4% in real

All major sectors surveyed recorded increases in average labour earnings, both in nominal terms and in real terms.

Analysed by sector, financing, insurance, real estate and business services recorded the fastest increase in average payroll per person engaged, by 13.3% in nominal terms or 6.4% in real terms in the first quarter of 1996 over a year earlier.

This was followed by the transport, storage and communications sector, by 12.2% in nominal terms or 5.5% in real terms; wholesale, retail and import/export trades, restaurants and hotels, by 11.5% in nominal terms or 4.8% in real terms; community, social and personal services, by 8.9% in nominal terms or 2.3% in real terms.

Average labour earnings in the manufacturing sector, rose by 6.4% in nominal terms, but with only a marginal increase in real terms after discounting changes in consumer prices.