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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 tonight (April 12):
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The meeting at the Labour Department this morning with the Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions generally went well. The atmosphere was good. There was a very frank, sincere and pragmatic exchange. Both sides found that they need time to reflect on their positions. And once with further development from both sides, we will certainly get in touch with all parties concerned and we will convene the meeting as quickly as possible. But I am pretty optimistic. Provided all sides approach the negotiation with a pragmatic and sincere attitude, I am pretty confident that a solution can be found at the end of the day. And it is important for all sides concerned to show a spirit of understanding and compromise.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, April 12, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:45
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