The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government was very concerned with the Labour Day demonstrations and hoped that people would express their opinions and requests peacefully.

Mr Chui expressed his sympathy to the injured and wished them a speech recovery. Forty-one people were injured, three requiring hospital admission.

Mr Chui, who returned after attending the opening ceremony of World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and a visit to Jiangsu province, said the police had restrained themselves when they dealt with protesters.

He said that the Government was very concerned with the demands and opinions aired by unemployed workers.

Government officials had met their representatives, drafted regulations that ensured the employment of local workers, and introduced temporary measures and subsidies to help them, he said.