with a
Flag A
Mr. Morgton
Parliamentary Office
Mr. Rankin is one of a number of .Ps. who for several years
have pressed for a reduction in the statutory limits of hours of hours of work of women and young children in industry in Hong Kong, which were fixed at 60 hours a week (10 hours daily) in 1959. He
last asked a question on this subject in March 1967, when amending legislation was under consideration.
2. In December 1967 the Hong Kong Government introduced a phased reduction to 48 hours (8 hours daily) over a period of four years.
In order to allow a period of adjustment and mitigate any possible
reduction of earnings as a result of shorter working hours, the
permitted annual limit of overtime is being increased by progressive stages over the same period from 100 to 300 hours. Thereafter,
the intention is to reduce permitted overtime to the original level of 100 hours a year as quickly as possible.
3. The Question implies that the hours of work for women and young persons in Government industry have been affected by these new regulations during 1968, the first full year of a 57 hour week (this year a 54 hour limit is in force). But in fact this is not
the case.
The hours of work referred to in the Answer have been
in force among Government employees for several years,
4.
Kong.
There is strictly speaking no "Government industry
12
in Hong
Only such Government-owned and run public utilities as the Kowloon-Canton Railway and the waterworks, electrical and mechanical sections of the Public Works Department could be regarded as "industry". It is therefore difficult to believe that Mr. Rankin really intended to ask the question as it is phrased. But it is in
this form we must answer it. If Mr. Rankin embarks on
supplementaries about industry in the private sector, I suggest that he should be invited to put down another question.
5. The draft answer and notes for supplementaries attached are
based on Hong Kong Telegram No.111.
10 February, 1969
Johor L 1872
2.5.
(w. S. Carter) Hong Kong Department
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