LOCSEN
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
staff for whom we would have no direct management responsibility beyond the allocation of work.
4.
We intend to begin employing UK laundrymen in time to have them in place for the introduction of the RFA FORT VICTORIA in late 1992/early 1993. Generally, UK laundrymen will then be deployed as each RFA leaves planned refit (the HK personnel having been paid off at the time the vessel enters refit), although it may be necessary to change the laundrymen at other times for a few vessels. The aim is to complete the replacement of all Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen by the end of FY 1994/95.
5.
Letters will be issued to all Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen advising them of our plans. It is planned to do this by the end of October. That will then allow time for the necessary discussions with the maritime trade unions on the establishment of the new laundrymen duties prior to their introduction on Fort Victoria. The staff affected will receive a gratuity when they are removed from our register of Hong Kong Chinese Seamen, based on length of service with the RFA plus a seaman's unemployment indemnity. Recruitment and retention of Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen has been a problem in the recent past suggesting that there are good opportunities for alternative employment for them.
6. Although any changes affecting Hong Kong are potentially sensitive, those affecting the RFA will come as no surprise and will affect comparatively few people. Therefore, the phasing out of the Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen is not expected to cause any public relations problems. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been consulted and have raised no objection to the replacement of the HK Laundry. press announcement is planned but defensive Q&A will be produced.
No
I should be grateful to know if USofS is content for us to proceed on this basis.
•
S J CHARLTON Sec (FS)/A MB9381 87914MB
LOCSEN MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.