Transcript of remarks by SLW on ATV
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on Asia Television Limited (ATV) after the award presentation ceremony and experience sharing session of the 2015-16 Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme today (February 29):

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We are very concerned about the latest development in ATV. In fact, a team of Labour Department officials are now at ATV on-site conducting an in-depth briefing for all affected staff. Currently, there are 250 employees of ATV attending this special briefing session. We will do all we can to explain how to protect their rights and how to get back their outstanding wages, and also at the same time to provide employment services. The department has managed to collate about 200 vacancies, particularly in the broadcasting sector, plus also other auxiliary posts, like clerical, accounting, drivers, carpenters and so on. This certainly will be of use. We will also launch a special recruitment exercise on March 22 in the Tsuen Wan job centre of the Labour Department, specially tailor-made for the broadcasting industry. We are all determined to help the affected employees of the ATV.

Reporter: What is your response and comments on the decision of dismissing all employees? Will you consider it as an irresponsible action?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We are very concerned about the whole thing. That's why we are doing all we can to protect the interest of all affected employees and help them to look for alternate employment, in particular we now have some 200 broadcasting jobs. There are also other supporting service jobs. I am sure this will do some help, particularly getting jobs in the short term. Also, we will launch a special recruitment exercise, a job fair tailor-made for the broadcasting sector on March 22 at the Tsuen Wan job centre of the Labour Department. We will do all we can to help all the affected ATV employees.

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

Ends/Monday, February 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:07

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