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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 before attending the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 11):
Reporter: Do you think that the difference is narrowed after the mediation yesterday?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The atmosphere yesterday was generally positive according to the feedback, even from the parties concerned and also from the Labour Department colleague in charge of the conciliation. I am sure that it marked a very good start to the negotiation and what we need is really sincerity, display of goodwill, mutual understanding and a spirit of compromise. After all, negotiation is a matter of give and take. I really hope that everybody can continue to maintain a sincere attitude, a pragmatic attitude, in conducting the negotiation.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, April 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:34
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