second of the criteria mentioned above, the question of
overtime. On this, the absolute maximum which would
be acceptable to Ministers would be 300 hours per
annum for the transitional period. Working within this
limit, it might help to fit in with the phasing if the
requirement
existing 26 week agneament on overtime were suspended
during the transitional period and this, too, would be
12is
accepted by Ministers, provided that it was clearly
and the existing cornet's on overtime understood that the requirement/would be reintroduced
at the end of that period.
5. As regards the third criteria, it would very
greatly help in meeting presentational difficulties
here if the actual phased programme were embodied in
legislation, presumably in the relevant Regulations or
Orders to be made as soon as the recently introduced
Bill to amend the Factories and Industrial Undertakings
Ordinance has been enacted. We can see no technical
reason why this should not be done even though the
actual drafting may present problems; and Ministers
attach very considerable importance to this particular
aspect.
Labour Management Relations
appent from techinimal difflemetiè's
6. It seems clear that the deep political split
dividing the trade union movement in Hong Kong would
make it very difficult to achieve effective compulsory
conciliation by legislation; but as a step in the
right direction would it not help if legislation were
enacted providing for the compulsory notification of
to us to he
disputes? This would seem, about as far as legislation on this subject could be taken.at the present time.
Expansion of Activites of Labour Department
7. We are not absolutely clear about your
requirements in this respect. We have learned privately
that Goodwin would definitely be interested in coming
to Hong Kong and we understand from the Governor
that Hong Kong would be glad to secure his services.
Since Goodwin returns to the U.K. this month perhaps
you would let us have particulars of the appointment
that you would offer him, including the terms and duties
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C