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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on ATV, a construction accident and the Repulse Bay accident today (April 8):
Reporter: ... ATV and the industrial accident and ...?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: First of all, the Labour Department has sent Labour Inspectors to ATV this morning to ascertain whether the cheques for the March wages issued to the employees before Easter holidays were really valid, to make sure that payments are made. We understand the anxiety and the feeling of suspense of those staff of ATV. We really hope that the management can come up with the way forward, the clear way forward, on its management direction, and particularly on its capability, ability to pay wages in the medium term. All these are really relevant questions, uppermost in the mind of the employees. We will certainly continue to monitor the situation closely.
As regards the industrial accident yesterday that relates to the construction work for the undersea tunnel between Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Kok, we attach great importance to this accident. In fact, this was the fifth fatal accident since work started at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. We will certainly step up surveillance and of course monitoring the behaviour, the performance of the contractor. For that particular case, in fact, the Labour Department has already issued suspension notice on-site, stopping work until they are satisfied with the construction safety on-site before work can commence again.
As regards the Repulse Bay accident referred to by some of the media earlier, the Police, in fact, has arranged for the younger daughter, providing accommodation for her last night at the Tuen Mun Children and Juvenile Centre run by the Social Welfare Department. In fact, the department will continue to monitor the case closely and to provide whatever service required according to the welfare need of the family.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:39
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