Transcript of remarks by SLW on $2 transport fare concession scheme and business restructuring of Cathay Group
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Reporter: Secretary, can you clarify if the Government is shelving the plan to extend the transport subsidy to those aged 60 and 64? Also explain the role of the Government in the CX sacking staff (inaudible)?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I cannot get the second question but let me answer the first one. We are still working at full steam in examining the report from our consultant looking at the $2 transport fare concession scheme. Basically, what we have done is we have briefed the members of the Executive Council recently and then some of the members expressed their views. As the Government, we will definitely look at their views, analyse and examine the different options. We are still working on it. We have no plan of shelving it, although we cannot tell exactly at what time we can do it. Our current target is to attempt to implement the improvement of the various aspects of the scheme in the next financial year 2021-2022.
Reporter: The second question is how is the Labour Department helping in this CX sacking incident?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Definitely the most important part is how to resolve the difference between the employees and employers. For the Labour Department (LD), basically it is the gatekeeper of the Employment Ordinance to ensure that the employees have received the reasonable treatment as regards their own protections. The LD serves as a mediating agent, just in case they need the LD to intervene and mediate between employees and employers. They are all ready to do that. So far I guess most of the work is done directly between the unions and employers. Currently we are ready. Whenever needed, the LD will go to help.
In other aspect, whenever there is any need for people to find jobs, the LD is ready there. So far we have not received many such requests, but they are coming.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, October 24, 2020
Issued at HKT 13:39
Issued at HKT 13:39
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