March 11 1970
род
Bre
als
een
na-
irdi
ure
nii
im-
;ent
otal
ili-
tion
lic religion. These are attrac-
tive to ethnic minorities and
*SEL ELLES,
A reader commented:
viulu vu patul -
De noted at all.
day will be delighted to hear
"If that the Registration Depart- his personality is such that he the trees pictured are wil- ment has offered to see what
Piers to de Lliur
Labour conditions in
ine newspaper said it could not reconcile this with the
Private Eye proposed five per cent cut in
estate duty.
Hongkong criticised
unions.
J. GREENHALGH, General Secretary, International Textile and
Garment Workers'
Federation.
Education costs
Sir.-I was very interested The Labour Department how helping hand. Needless to they seek our assistance. In proved to be wrong in this to read your editorial com- ever, concedes that one in add, these workers know the countries mentioned, assessment. ments (S.C31. Post Feb 26) four, or 3,600 out of Hong- that they can always rely whenever night work is re- concerning the term 'sweat- kong's 14,400 industrial firms upon the International quested by employers, cer- ing shops' being applied to Hong- are guilty of hiring child Textile and Garment Workers tain procedures are adopted, als, kong mills by the American labour'.”
Federation, whenever their and in Britain these include of textile and garment workers In my statement, I did not wages or working conditions the agreement of the women to unions, together with your allege the employment of may be jeopardised by em- concerned at private meet- comments upon what I am children, but simply men- ployers or by adverse legis- ings convened by the trade supposed to have said about tioned the press statement lation. inst
“Inhumane' working condi- as quoted above. Naturally, My intervention in this isly, tions in the colony.
the British press interpreted matter was in fact, as Chi
When judged by American this as being 'inhumane' with result of
an urgent appeal anci
The made by standards, the wages in the which I fully concur.
the workers in Viet textile and garment mills in surprising thing however, is Hongkong, thus proving their 8 in Hongkong will certainly seem that I did not allege that reliance upon our aid when
be to warrant the term 'sweated child labour was employed ever necessary. nen-labour' particularly in view in textile milis, and in- ith of the prosperity of Hong- deed, I have evidence
children It is in that ary kong economically. thet fact, the economic prosperity employed.
Tces
have
I the
The
article
Ro
are so
It must also be remem- Sir, As a young married a bered, inat there is a high man struggling to educate level or education in these five children at home to the countries, and also that the "standards to which I am women concerned know accustomed," I sincerely hope that they can refuse to work that Government in their during the night without any next salaries review, which You rightly state that I am harassment or victimisation. will undoubtedly set the pat- critical of Hongkong wage What is even more important, tern for those in commerce, levels, and I can emphasise in Britain, the United States will move further towards that I get no pleasure in and Canada, we have an pay according to family res- of Hongkong that condemns
continued agreeing with the Commis- effective Factory Inspec- ponsibility rather than pay the existing living standards "Many of the lawbreakers sioner of Labour that wages torate which deal promptly solely according to work. and of her peoples.
are small factories in con- in the colony have increased with any retrogressive em- It costs up to £600 per So far as I am personally gested areas
commonly by 250 per cent over the past ployer. It might also be annum to send a child to a in-concerned, I recently tried to referred to as backyard in- 10 years. Everyone in Hong- added that the penalties im- good public school in Eng- rthy assist the Hongkong trade dustries. Here, in distress- kong knows the present level posed on violators of the land, and since we have given but unions in their efforts to ing conditions, 12 and 13- of wages, 'so what must they labour legislation are large up SO much to come to
night duce | Zevent
work for year children work up to 14 have been in 1960? The use enough to act as an effec- Hongkong, it seems only women, and in a statement hours a day." This quote of percentages no
deterrent. longer tive
I do not right that employers should which I made to the British was also given to the Bri- fools anyone.
know of any instance when a contribute at least half of the erely press, I quoted from certain tish press, but its source is So far as night work for night shift for women has total school fees bill.
COD- newspaper articles from Hongkong and not anywhere women being allowed in Bri- been introduced anywhere, I know the critics will cked Hongkong (not the South else.
tain, the United States and except Hongkong, against the deride such a change, but ently China Morning Post) and Fortunately, notwithstand Canada is concerned, this express wishes of the trade since it is people like me who I to even used the actual words, ing the abuse that has been surely cannot justify the im- unions.
are sacrificing so much to t to so as to avoid misunder- heaped cn my head by cer- position of night work in May I in conclusion, make keep the next generation of standing. On the subject of tain interests in Hongkong, Hongkong, for everyone must one further comment? The managers, surely it is only child labour I used the pre- I am delighted to know that realise that the trade unions so-called trial period for the fair that others less burdened only "it is reported in
the textile and garment in the colony are far too night work for women, being with responsibilities should ough that "no-one knows the exact workers have suncient crn- weak to offer any great re- of 16 months duration, is in be paid a bit less so that we Laos number of children employed fidence in me to appreciate sistance to either the Ad- my opinion, just sufficient to can be paid a bit more.
her in factories although there that I have no oʻker motive ministration ΟΙ the indus- guarantee that it will be per- ed
have been numerous guesses. than that of giving them a trialists. This is exactly why manent. I hope that I can be
8US-
meva
}
HARRIED EX-PATRIATE. (More letters on Page 19)
welv
It sald thorities solrance
tions, they
measures
The Tin Via Yat Fa for a solution to the pah problem wajch, it felt,
SEASONAL ENGAN
ཤ ས པ ་་་
World's First Dual
Suitable For SURPAT
FULLY AUTOMATIC THE
FITTED WITH F1.320- IODINE LAMP
EASY REVERSE AND S
✰ ATTRACTIVE DESIGN
(Avalable at all er:
2)
Hong Kong SC.M