The Leisure & Cultural Services Department has promised to step up dialogue with lifeguards over a proposal to contract out the management of public swimming pools.

In a meeting today with the HK & Kowloon Lifeguards' Union, the department said it will consider a staff deployment proposal to replace the outsourcing plan and give a reply on or before September 29.

The lifeguards said they will avoid drastic industrial action before then to ensure safety at pools.

The proposal to contract out pool management aims to address the need to release staff under the Second Voluntary Retirement Scheme.

The department has no fixed timetable for its implementation and pledged to take staff views into full consideration before making a decision.

A number of seminars have already been held to brief staff on the proposal and to gauge their views.

Staff have been told there will not be any forced redundancy. In exploring the outsourcing idea, the department will ensure pool safety.