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CONFIDENTIAL
developed, in the context of the disturbances, that it would be
timely to extend legislation to improve labour conditions generally.
3.
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Arising from all these developments certain common
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features became apparent amongst representative local opinion.
These
were that a standard wook of 48 hours was an acceptable goal to be
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aimed at, that generous provision for overtime would, as an interim
measure, be acceptable to facilitate the downward adjustment of
working hours, and that a phased programme should be negotiated.
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In the light of this opinion, Executive Council advised that the
following stops should be taken:-
5.
(i) the immediato introduction of a 48-hours week for those
industries universally observing it
(11)
the subsequent introduction of a 48-hours week where it
is the common but not the universal practice to work 48
hours a week with overtime up to 12 hours a week until
individual factorios could adjust themsolves to the common
1 practice
(iii) the preparation of a phased programme for the progressive
reduction, according to an agreed calendar, of the standard
working week from 60 to 48 hours throughout all industries
(iv) a contemporaneous increase, to facilitate reductions, in
one form or another, of standard working hours, of overtime
from 100 hours to 150 hours a year generally and from 150
hours to 300 hours a year by special permission to deal with
seasonal or other special pressures.
The Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance does
not permit the Commissioner of Labour to make special regulations
to deal with prescribed classes and descriptions of industrial under-
takings.
Consequently, an amendment to the ordinance is necessary
'prior to the proposed action undertaken.
The enabling bill can not
....
.become law/