TNAG-2817-FCO40-4063-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Liaison-Group-sub-gro-1993 — Page 67

5-OCT-1993 09:58

LABOUR DEFT

- 852 850 5310 P.04

CONFIDENTIAL

"This proposal aims at putting greater pressure on

the 'disputing parties, where it is in the interests of

all parties to do so, to come to an early settlement

through ordinary conciliation," Mrs Fok explained.

Mrs Fok disclosed that the Government also proposed

to establish a a mediation procedure under the Labour

Relations Ordinance in

in which the Commissioner can

appoint a mediator from a list of neutral persons to

mediate in disputes.

"Under this proposal, the Commissioner is empowered

to refer a labour dispute to mediation by a mediator

without seeking the prior consent from the parties

concerned.

"The merit of the mediation procedure is that the

mediator, by virtue of his status,

of his status, may have greater

influence on the parties tham a conciliator.

Furthermore, the recommendation of the mediator, which

can be made public, will exert pressure on both parties

to comply," she said.

On the issue of

protection against unfair

dismissal, Mrs Fok said that the Government,

after

thorough considerations, was of the view that the

introduction of unfair dismissal legislation in Hong

Kong was inappropriate.

CONFIDENTIAL