The Grovemar, uppeed that this was unersonall but thought that I circled, could be induced to madaly their win
1 Fourchilds, for beample, were preparing
that permanent nig work was avoided. This igeue
Fwould & comme
Swould need to be submitted to Ministers.
change of pakiy tiz
3.
i foue
After discussion about the weakness (in relation
to the magnitude of the task they had to perform) of
Factory
pesemissions might
slife.
apperabit from tho
Depry Empleymt ind breductantly
the Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department the
am expeienced Governor agreed to a suggestion that an expert from
the UK might visit the Colony to survey the position.
He shared the doubts of the Labour Adviser whether
there was the necessary technical expertise in Hong
Kong to combat the dangers of exposure to high lead
content in the atmosphere in factories making electro-
nic equipment. It was agreed that an advisory visit
of this nature would be considered urgently.
Dispu-
He
4. The Governor spoke about labour courts, a proposed
/a innovation in which he was keenly interested.
tants in these courts would not be legally represented
so that no costs would fall on the parties, and pro-
vided the courts confined themselves to specific
claims as opposed to generalised labour complaints, he
was convinced they would serve a useful purpose.
ed indicated that much detail thinking remained to be
done before legislation could be brought forward.
5. In connection with the continuing necessity to
-keep legislation in labour matters under review the
Governor was asked whether he intended to try to
retain the services of Mr. Goodwin. He agreed to
consider whether any attractive offer could be made
such as might persuade Mr. Goodwin to accept a further
period of service in Hong Kong; his impression had
been that Mr. Goodwin was not looking for further
employment in Hong Kong. The Overseas Labour Adviser
thought that in accepting an appointment in the ODM,
/ Mr.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Page
Page
W(B)L 51-7406
the
witch to seventy of tenure the
in some mossel
oncer
sepresented
Mr. Goodwin was primar y concerned to ensure
and
continuing employment for himself and that if
Government 8/ want
Hong Kong,wanted to retain his services it
might be possible for the ODM to make him
available, this would have to the considered in
my offer made 16.
to hum
The Governor said that he had given some
thought to the appointment of a Chinese
Administrative Officer (Mr. F. K. Li) as the
next Commissioner of Labour. His own prefer-
ence would be to professionalise the Department
so that the Administrative Officers at present
serving in it could then be released.
Unfortunately the Department lacked professional
officers of the requisite calibre. He felt that
this was a step that might now be taken pro-
vided he had professional candidates who com-
bined the necessary awareness and understanding
of the political considerations.
Muz
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
age 9
age 9
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 932
Laban kegestation надевают
TO SINGAPORE H.C,
25 NOVEMBER 1969
(OLA)
20
CONFIDENTIAL.
FOLLOWING FOR ALLEN FROM FOGGON.
REFERENCE YOUR LETTER 5/31 OF 24 JULY.
I AM INFORMED THAT FOLLOWING ELECTRONIC FIRMS HAVE BEEN GRANTED
PERMISSION TO EMPLOY WOMEN AT NIGHT IN SINGAPORE:
(A) NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
(B) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS LIMITED.
ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FAIRCHILD SINGAPORE HAVE APPLIED FOR PERMISSION.
IF THIS IS CORRECT GRATEFUL TO KNOW BY TELEGRAM, NUMBER OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES AFFECTED, AND FOR COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO FOLLOW. ALSO ANY CONDITIONS ADDITIONAL TO THOSE REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH 7 OF YOUR LETTER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED BY MINISTRY OF LABOUR. IS THERE, FOR EXAMPLE, ANY SPECIAL INSPECTION OF FACTORY ARRANGEMENTS AND - REQUIREMENTS ABOUT CANTEEN FACILITIES, ETC.?
2. GRATEFUL URGENT REPLY. POLICY IN HONG KONG UNDER REVIEW, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT REPEAT NOT BE DISCLOSED LOCALLY.
STEWART
*
FILES:
O.L.A.
HONG KONG DEPT
MR. WILFORD
&&&&
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY TO:
MISS RYLANDS, DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT
& PRODUCTIVITY