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The following is the speech by the Acting Chief Executive, Mrs Anson Chan, at the Labour Day reception at Government House today (Saturday):

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today, I am very delighted to welcome you all to this cocktail reception to celebrate Labour Day which has become a statutory holiday in the HKSAR.

I remember President Theodore Roosevelt once said that "Far and away, the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." I must congratulate you all for winning the "best prize of life". Over the years, the government, employers and employees have been working closely to steadily improve rights and benefits of workers and to promote occupational safety and health. This tripartite co-operation and goodwill is imperative to harmonious labour relations which underpin Hong Kong's success and prosperity in the past 50 years.

Hong Kong is now undergoing a period of economic adjustment. This is a painful process and both employers and employees are facing tremendous pressure. While the Government is doing all we can to stimulate the economy and to ease unemployment, it is important that employers and employees can continue to work together, to understand each other's difficulties, and to adopt an open, positive and pragmatic attitude in dealing with problems. With this teamwork, I am sure that Hong Kong will soon ride out the storm and return to the path of growth as we enter the 21st century.

End/Saturday, May 1, 1999

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