Registry No. HKK 5/3
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Flag A
DRAFT SUBMISSION
30712
To:-
Mr. Wilford
Mr. Godden
Copy to Mr. Fosgon, Overseas
Problem
Type 1 + 2
From
Telephone No. & Ext.
Labor Actrizer.
Department
Hong Kong: Nightwork for Women
He
In his Saving Despatch No.1142 the Governor of
Hong Kong has asked for agreement that his Commissioner of Labour can use his powers under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance to
grant further selective exemptions to specified industrial establishments from the regulation
prohibiting the employment of women at night.
indicated in discussions here on the 24th November
that he wishes to initiate consultations for the
purpose of deciding the conditions under which exemptions will be granted. The sort of undertakings which would then be considered for such exemptions would
be capital intensive and such as rely on the dexterity
of women for the manufacture of their products.
No
undertaking would be exempted which did not offer
reasonable and safe working conditions.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that approval (already conditionally given) should be confirmed and that the Governor
should be authorised to hold consultations for the purpose of deciding the conditions under which exemptions will be granted. A draft Saving Despatch is attached. The Overseas Labour Adviser Concurs in this Submission.
Background and Argument
3. Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings
Ordinance the employment of women between the hours of 8.00 p.m. (or 9.00 p.m. where overtime has been worked) and 6.00 a.m. is probibited. However, the Ordinance provides that the Commissioner of Labour, in such cases as he shall think fit and subject to
/ such
(118281) Dd. 391599 1,500 2/69 Hw.
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