External contractors for Hongkong International Terminals have agreed to pay an above-inflation 5.5 percent increase in basic salary for dockworkers in the coming year, averting a threatened strike that would have heaped further misery on the struggling port.

A statement by the Hutchison Port Holdings HIT said 95 percent of their workers have given written consent to the pay rise, even though it was below Hong Kong Dockers Union demands of 8.5 percent. Last week the union threatened industrial action if the wage demands were not met.

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