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SLW on container terminal labour dispute
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the container terminal labour dispute today (April 10):

Reporter: CTU said you should be held responsible if the talk breaks down ....

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: My own view is very simple. If various parties concerned can display a genuine spirit of compromise, mutual understanding and sincerity and approach the talks pragmatically, and really talk frankly, candidly round the table, I am sure there will be a solution at the end of the day. Much depends on sincerity and also whether they are pragmatic enough to join the talks.

Reporter: (About the arrangement of two sessions.)

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We are talking about basically providing platforms for various parties concerned. In the terminal, there are five operating unions representing various groups of workers there. We are not just talking about striking workers, we are talking about workers working in the terminal. They are all workers. They are all concerned about their welfare, rights and benefits. In fact, they have all been involved in asking the management, whether the contractors or HIT, to improve the conditions of services and also welfare. So they all have a claim in general, they have a stake there. So we have to respect the rights of workers in general. Also, I urge all unions to really work together for the common interest of workers.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:54

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