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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the Cathay Pacific labour dispute and minimum wage after attending a radio programme this morning (April 3).
Reporter: About the Cathay Pacific labour dispute, can it be actually avoided?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Labour Department has been playing an active role to conciliate the labour dispute. In fact, the differences between the two sides have been narrowing and I am sure that through continuous dialogue, the differences could be resolved. We urge both parties to exercise self-restraint and to return to negotiating table as soon as possible. In fact, we stand ready to hold the talks in our venue as soon as possible and at their convenience.
Reporter: They are saying that Tuesday could be a strike day and we all know that it is a public holiday. Other than the Labour Department, are there actually other government departments involved?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I think the most important thing is to get both sides back to the negotiating table. Once they are back to talks, I am sure that the differences could be resolved. In fact, the gap is narrowing and I am sure that through continuous dialogue, the differences could be resolved at the end of the day.
Reporter: On the minimum wage issue, you call on both sides to be rational. Are you actually saying that there hadn’t been rational talk? Why are you saying that?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: It is important that on a very contentious issue like minimum wage, there are bound to be different views and opinions. I think it is important for us to bear in mind that we have to proceed on a prudent note and make sure that whilst we are talking about forestalling excessively low wages, we also have to bear in mind that there are various factors to consider. First of all, we don’t want to see a dis-employment effect on a massive scale and also have to ensure our competitiveness is not eroded. So we are talking about a balancing act here.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Saturday, April 3, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:35
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