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The Labour Advisory Board (LAB) By-election of Employee Representative was held today (March 14) for filling the vacancy of an elected employee representative of the current 2015-16 term. Authorised representatives from 323 registered employee unions turned up to vote in the by-election, which was contested by three candidates. Mr Charles Chan Yiu-kwong, Deputy Chairman of Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, receiving 286 votes, was elected.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Commissioner for Labour cum ex-officio chairman of LAB, Mr Donald Tong, congratulated Mr Chan on being the employee representative returned.
"The LAB has been a high level and representative tripartite consultative body since 1946. With the LAB proactively offering constructive and valuable advice on labour matters, the Government has formulated labour policies and legislation that can fully take into account and balance the interests of both employees and employers. It is an important platform for tripartite partnership among employees, employers and the Government. I trust that Mr Chan together with all other LAB members will keep up the fair and pragmatic spirit of the LAB in order to discharge the Board's important function effectively," said Mr Cheung.
Mr Tong said that the LAB platform enabled employees, employers and the Government to act together to promote harmonious labour relations and enhance employment rights and benefits as well as occupational safety and health. He said he looked forward to working closely with Mr Chan to address issues of mutual concern in collaboration with all other LAB members.
The LAB comprises representatives of employees and employers to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters. The above elected employee representative will also serve on the Standard Working Hours Committee as an ex-officio member by virtue of his LAB membership.
Ends/Saturday, March 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:51
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