En Clair
HONG KONG ΤΟ COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
35
Unnumbered
(D.T.D.)
20 October 1967
ICLASSIFIED
Press.
201600.
Today statutory limit is some sixty hours per week. I am very pleased to say that from December one nineteen sixtyseven with agreement of employers we shall start to reduce hours of work for women and young persons to fortyeight hours per week and we shall achieve this over four years thirty minutes reduction in first instance and yet another thirty minutes reduction in second year. In order that there should be period
-
of adjustment in industry I have agreed to raise statutory limit of overtime. I am confident that legislation will be prepared and enacted at an early date.
I have also started discussions with Management in regard to men. I would like to see and I believe this can now (repeat now) be achieved men given a statutory one day off each week. I have been impressed with existing standards in many of our companies. In practice this has been adopted by many companies in Hong Kong and I think it is right therefore that this should prevail throughout Colony.
What we seek to do however must depend on growth of economy. Labour reforms and higher standards demand higher efficiency and higher productivity. This is going to be great challenge between management and workers. There is a great need as I have said before for greater cooperation and consultation between management and workers. I believe this is perhaps greatest challenge that faces Hong Kong.
Sir D. Trench
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
0.0.
H.K.D.
I. & G.D.
News Dept.
D.T.C.D. J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
0.L.A.
O.P.A.
F.0.
F.E.D.
EEEEE
Sent 1630 20 October
Recd 1210Z 20 October
HWA 2/27