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British Labour Party Member of Parliament, Mr Tom Pendry, pictured at yesterday's meeting with dock workers.
Dock strike
interests MP
BY BARRY CHOI
THE VISITING Labour MP, Mr Tom Pendry, will ask for a report from the Commissioner of Labour on the industrial dispute involving the dismissal of 280 Hongkong United Dockyard workers.
During a two-hour meeting with nine workers'
representatives yesterday, Mr Pendry inquired into the history of the dispute which crupted on June 30 over the re presentatives' status.
Earlier, 2,400 workers at the dock demanded a $4 increase in their daily wage, to meet the rising cost of living. But the pay issue was pushed aside when management refused to negotiate with five representatives who the management said were not directly employed by the dockyard.
Following a sit-in on June 30 and July 2, management closed the dockyard gates on July 3 and announced that they would have to lay off 20 per cent of the work force. Management's reason was a drop in ship building and repairing con tracts due to the workers' action.
One representative, Mr Li Tim, dismissed by management. yesterday alleged that the dockyard ΠΟΥ hired 500 to 600 casual workers to replace the dismissed 280.
"Our wish is to return to work, but if management chooses to fire us. it should pay us one month's severance pay plus another month's provident fund pay,” he said.
Mr Pendry said the issue demonstrated that the Government had to do something positive in the field of labour relationship. He said proper consulting machinery should be set up.
"I intend to seek a report from the Labour Commissioner and see if there is any possibility of bringing about a solution. What is needed now is legislation guaranteeing the rights of the workers.” he said.
"If the representatives' report was correct, it's an act alien to the freedom of workers to combine and present a case on behalf of co- workers," he said.
Later in the day, the MP met student leaders at the Hongkong
Sunday Post
12.8.73
University to hear their views on the Godber case.
The students outlined their demands to the Government as follows:
Extradite Peter Godber for questioning.
Make public the name list of police officers under investigation of suspected corruption involvement.
• Establish an anti-corruption bureau headed by Government official to investigate corruption in Hongkong.
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Mr Pendry did not agree with the students" demand to publish the names of police officers under investigation for suspected corrup tion, because he added that a man was innocent until proven guilty.
Mr Pendry said, after a request by the students that he would present their petition for the extradition of Godber to the right man, in Parliament.
Mr Pendry said the independent anti-corruption bureau would be best staffed by trained personne. He added that it would be a good idea to ask Scotland Yard to train them.
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