Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong says she is cautious about the outcome of the meeting with the Hong Kong & Kowloon Life Guards' Union on July 26, and hopes both sides can work out a mechanism to settle differences.

Speaking on a radio talkshow today, Ms Wong welcomed the union's decision to shelve industrial action planed for next week.

Noting public safety is her department's top priority, she said she is willing to listen to the union's views on manpower deployment and salaries. However, she stressed the terms and conditions of the contracts currently offered to temporary lifeguards reflect the market and the job nature.

Assistant Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Cheung Kwok-kee said the salary of temporary lifeguard posts in certain districts, such as Tuen Mun, Sai Kung and outlying islands, has been increased to $10,000 per month because the department has difficulties in hiring enough qualified people to fill posts there.

The salary of other temporary lifeguard posts remain at $8,300 per month, Mr Cheung said, adding that the amount is already higher than the median of the market price.

On the handling of those lifeguards who took part in last week's industrial action, Ms Wong said the department will discuss the issue with the Civil Service Bureau and will handle it in a fair way. However, most important is to work out a solution with the union.