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BACKGROUND NOTES
LABOUR CONDITIONS AND RELATIONS
125
NO. 12
Of rather more than 12 million people at work in Hong Kong more
than 600,000 are engaged in the manufacturing industries. In 1966 the
number of persons directly employed in factories and industrial
undertakings amounted to some 424,000. Those engaged in weaving,
spinning, knitting and the manufacture of garments and made-up textile
goods accounted for approximately 177,000 and constituted the largest
section of this labour force. Unemploymont, which in 1961 was estimated
at about 12% of the economically active labour force, is among the lowest
in Asia. Hong Kong wage rates are low by British but not by Asian
standards, and, in general, conditions of work in Hong Kong are second
only to those in Japan amongst Asian countries. The index of wage rates
has almost doubled since 1959.
2.
Hours of Work: There are no legal restrictions on the hours of work
for men although most work 10 hours a day or less, Employers are obliged
to provide six annual holidays a year and a sickness allowance of up to
12 days a year.
Regulations made under the Factories and Industrial
Undertakings Ordinance in respect of women and young persons provide for
naxinun daily hours, limited overtime, weekly rest days and rest periods.
Young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 years may not work nore than
8 hours a day (48 hours a week) with a break of one hour efter five hours
continuous work. Night or underground work by women and young persons is
prohibited and employers must grant women and young persons in industry
e weekly day of rest. Under the sano Regulations the nazinun weekly hours
of work of women and young persons are restricted to ten hours a day and
sixty hours a week plus limited overtine. There has been much pressure
(in and outside Parliament) to reduce this to 48 hours a week. The
/Government
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