LCSD to form working groups with lifeguards
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Officials of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department met with representatives of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guard's Union again today (July 26) to further explain and sincerely discuss matters of concern to the union.

"At the nearly three-hours' meeting, the department and the union discussed the setting up of two working groups with union participation to review lifeguard establishment and examine the factors and mechanism for determining the salary level for recruiting temporary contract lifeguards next year," said the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Anissa Wong Sean-yee.

"We hope that the move will be a significant step towards resolving the issue and we can join hands with our lifeguard colleagues in continuing our reliable service to the public," she said.

The department agreed to provide to the union in details the present mechanism for determining the salary level of temporary contract lifeguards.

Proposed terms of reference and work schedules of the two working groups will also be clearly put in writing to the union within this week.

"We hope that the two working groups will work out concrete suggestions with a view to further enhancing public service," Ms Wong said.

"On the common ground of ensuring swimmers' safety, the working group on lifeguard establishment can quickly look into the lifeguard deployment of pools of special concern to the union," Ms Wong added.

Ms Wong pointed out that the working group on salary level should examine factors including qualifications of LCSD's temporary lifeguards, their job responsibilities and the market pay trend.

"The findings will be very useful for working out the salary level for the coming year," she added.

Ends/Monday, July 26, 2004
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