My
of 30 minutes per day took effect on the 1st December, 1967, a further 30
minutes per day reduction becomes effective on the 1st December, 1968 and
three subsequent reductions of 20 minutes each per day become effective on
the 1st December in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971.
y. At the same time the limits of permissable overtime are being raised
in step with the reduction in normal working hours from 100 hours per annum
in 1967 to 300 hours per annum in December, 1971, but they are to be
reduced thereafter as quickly as possible to 100 hours per annum.
9. There has been criticism (especially from Mr. Thornton) about the
length of the phased reduction and particularly about the increase in
permitted overtime. In defending the action taken we have argued:
(i) flexibility is necessary to enable employers in fiercely
competitive industries to adjust to the new conditions;
(ii) increases in permitted overtime are necessary to prevent the
workers sustaining losses in earnings;
(iii) it is only the maximum limits of overtime which are being
raised and there is no compulsion, other than possible economic
pressures, to work overtime;
pres
af
work.
(iv). there is no legislative basis for any change in wage rates,
and even if it were desirable to introduce minimum wage
legislation, the difficulty of enforcing it would be extreme
apent from Fride mean activity there are mellemal economi (V) basically, he rely natural forces to increases workers'
earnings. Although the cost of living index has increased by about
25% over the past 9 years, the index of wage rates has more than
doubled in the same period, so that real wages have risen considerably,
(vi). overtime is et possible on shift work upon which a large number
sex
of workers in the spinning and weaving industries are employed and
where already a 48 hour week is in operation;
(vii) we do not think that the limits of overtime will be fully
any
to watching
Har
utilized by employers for whom overtime is expensive.
whom overtime is expensive in any case
what happe we shall
Labour Legislation
10.
in Legislative Council.
On the 14th February the Hong Kong Commissioner of Labour announced
a comprehensive programme of legislation in the labour field, although he
did not set a timetable for its introduction.
Most of this proposed
/legislation
^