Indeed at that meeting George Foggon did in fact
emphasise the limited scope of the new legislation
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and/explained that in thefirst stages, at least, the
new regulations would probably do little more than
confirm the existing situation: that is to say,
they would probably apply to such industries and
occupations as were already predominant ly
Chen
that extenţion to other
day is observed by
Obviously both of
observing an 8 hour day and
industries where the 8 hour
a minority would take time.
these points have given rise to misconceptions.
The first was that apparently you assumed that
the proposed legislation to bring into force the
new regulations would be enacted immediately
following the submission of the memorandum to
Executive Council. The second was you clearly thought
that I was talking about garment workers in
particular whereas I was in fact talking about the
in indiary hours of work for women and young persons/generally.
Now what of the proposed legislation?
You
have argued, with some justification, that it is
too limited in approach, since it would not appear
to be extended to garment workers. I would not
dissent from this. But although the statutory
hours of work may not have changed since 1959 a
substantial number of industrial undertakings have,
in practice, progressively given over to an 8 hour
working day for women and young persons, and these
have been reduced/below 10. This change has been
voluntary and is therefore effective over the whole efore effective over the whole
Homo to
area covered. As a specific example, 100% of
Lokes
female labour in cotton spinning and over 70% in
are
cotton weaving is working an 8 hour day now.
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There is also the point that once the new
legislation comes into force it will have the
effect of establishing statutory backing for an
18 hour
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