【明報專訊】EMPLOYERS and employees disagree substantially about the "standard working hours" issue, which has to do with their respective immediate interests. To make it possible for the two sides to have in-depth discussions, the government set up the Standard Working Hours Committee (SWHC). It will be much easier for them to arrive at a consensus if the two sides are candid with and trust each other. The SWHC met the other day, and announced afterwards that its members had reached a consensus: that it suggests the government obtain legislation governing "employment contracts". If this recommendation is adopted, what is called "standard working hours" will become "contractual working hours". The suggestions have provoked an uproar from labour organisations. Some have even described the whole affair as a "scam".