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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed today (May 6) the decision by workers involved in the container terminal labour dispute to accept the pay increase package offered by the employers.
Mr Cheung said, "I am glad that the four contractors of Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) have responded to my request to provide a written reassurance to the Commissioner for Labour to confirm their pay increase package, thus putting the workers' minds at ease. I am pleased that both the employers and the workers, in the spirit of mutual understanding and compromise, have adopted a pragmatic approach in handling this dispute."
He also appealed to contractors having crane operator vacancies to hire the former employees of the defunct Global Stevedoring Service Co. Ltd.
Mr Cheung commended colleagues of the Labour Department for their tireless efforts and professionalism in the past few weeks in handling the dispute.
He said that the Labour Department would continue to follow up with HIT and its contractors on improving occupational safety and health conditions in the container terminal.
"Amicable labour relations jointly built by employers, employees and the government over the years underpin Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. I and my colleagues in the Labour Department will continue to strive to foster harmonious labour relations in Hong Kong," Mr Cheung added.
Ends/Monday, May 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:31
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