WHILE talks between the striking Hong Kong dockers continued yesterday under the auspices of the Hong Kong Labour Department, a fresh set of longshoremen joined the strike, claiming that the promises of more pay had not been fulfilled.

Dockers working the Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) berths No 4, 6 and 7 agreed to continue to work after a half day on strike when a separate deal was made a month ago. But dockers claim the promise of a pay rise did not materialise.

Yesterday, 60 workers of the 100 working for the Comcheung stevedoring contractor at the berths, decided to join the strike, says local media.

Negotiators from the Confederation of Trade Unions, the labour federation, representing the dockers at the talks, have now demanded that two representatives of the new strikers be represented at the negotiations.

Yesterday's talks were held between the Confederation representatives and those of Everbest Stevedoring. HIT had sent representatives to the talks, though it was now known if it sent one yesterday.