Fédération Internationale des Travailleurs des Industries
du Textile et de l'Habillement
PRESIDENT
HN E. NEWTON
VICK-PERSIDENT-
K. BUSCHMANN
Internationale Textil- und Bekleidungsarbeiter-Veveinigung
Internationella Textil- och Beklädnadsarbetarefederationen
INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE AND
GARMENT WORKERS' FEDERATION
120 BAKER STREET, LONDON, W.1
GENERAL SECRETARY: J. GREENHALGH to whom all commumcations should be addressed
TALAPHONE:
WELBECK 1745
TELEGRAM ADDRESS-
WORKINTEX, London, W.1
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Now we will consider living standarda. In Hongkong there is a situation of almost full employment, and in fact, as I have previously stated, many workers are employed on 359 days each year and women and young persons actually work a 10-hour- day with a permitted overtime of 100 hours per year. Is it very surprising therefore, that the living standards should be higher in Hongkong than in other Asian countries with the exception of Japan? In spite of long hours of work however, it is a fact that there was rioting last year because the fares on the ferry between Kowloon and Hongkong were increased by as little as 5 Hongkong cents per trip, which is equal to three farthings. This will but the Hongkong living standarde into their true perspective.
It is rather strange that in spite of being requested to consider Hongkong wages and working conditions in terms of Asian living standards, the only justification that I can get for existing conditions in Hongkong is that somewhat similar conditions exist on the mainland of China, and were imported into Hongkong along with the refugees.
In a statement to the House of Commons on June 2nd, Mrs. Judith Hart, the Minister of State, Commonwealth Affairs, is reported to have said 'I am in consultation with the Governor about changes in the labour laws which I think we would all feel would be timely -(cheers)- they include such matters as hours of work for women and young persons and conciliatory machinery'.
According to my latest information from Hongkong relating to the so-called improved legislation, and quoted by Stephen Fay, there is just no intention to reduce the hours of work of women and young persons in Hongkong to the level obtaining in other Asian countries. Whilst I am hoping that a more realistic attitude will be adopted both in Hongkong and in London, the only definite information that I have so far been able to get from Mrs. Judith Hart confirms my view that the new legislation will not apply to the thousands of women employed in the garment industry in Hongkong. In order that I will not be accused of misrepresenting the position, Mrs. Hart states in a letter to me dated April 26th 1967:
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"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 muld not dissent from this.
Finally, after many months of patient endeavour to get matter improved by by constitutional means, it will be a sad reflection upon British rule in Hongkong if conditions can only be improved after rioting has taken place.
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