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•
and the "multi-racial 'sit in'" referred to in the N.U.J 's letter of 20th August took place peacefully; at no time was there any threat of civil disturbance.
In
When the leading Directors had returned to Hong Kong, the dispute was rapidly settled and agreement was signed on the afternoon of 29th August 1974, following a series of private meetings arranged by officers of the Labour Relations Service between the representative of the Management, Mr. HUNG Kam-hong and Mr. Jack Spackman, the former Financial Editor, representing the employees. the agreement the Management conceded a "special hardship allowance" which was weighted in favour of the more lowly paid employees. Employees drawing less than $2,000 a month were awarded two months' pay if they had joined the China Mail before 1st January 1974. This award was halved if an employee:
•
(a) earned not less than $2,000 a month or
(b)
if he had joined the China Mail on or after 1st January 1974;
Eventually,
and was halved again if both (a) and (b) applied. the Management paid about $440,000 in severance pay in addition to salaries to the end of August.
As the newly introduced severance pay legislation in Hong Kong provides only for one month's pay for every two years' service, subject to a minimum of two years service, the staff received generous treatment. The Commissioner for Labour in Hong Kong played a useful part in bringing about the settlement.
one third of a month's'
pay
for every
year of services
[amended in light of Hk Felno 946 of 19/9]
FKL: aw
Sincerely,
し
(F. K. Li )
Secretary for Social Services
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