Hong Kong Standard,
February 17th 1970..
Govt plans
child labour
blitz in factories
By HAROLD YAU
THE LABOUK Department will soon launch a blitz on factories employing child labour - one of Hongkong's most disturbing problems.
The mechanics of the drive, which is being described as an "intensive campaign." are being kept a closely guarded secret to avoid warning off offenders.
Х
firms, are guilty of hiring child labour.
Sources believe, however. ! Hongkong's 14,400 industrial; the drive will take the form of unannounced Visits by labour inspectors to factories with a bad record for using child labour.
These electronics,
would
include plastics, light
metal, woollen knitting, and
Many of the lawbreakerS are small factories in con- gested areas commonly referred to as
backyard
industries.
Here, in distressing corr
electric bulb manufacturing | ditions. 1. and 13-year-old industries.
Disclosing the campaign yesterday, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Mr. # Williams, said a similar drive last August had resulted in regal proceeding against 298 employers.
cases
In these
10 far wrought before the courts. the heaviest fine imposed was $2.000 on a factory owner convicted of employing five children under the age of 14 yer, Md.
Maximuma
The maximum fine for this offence is $5,000 but, as far as can be ascertained, it has never been imposed.
In the past it has bec.. more customary for magis- trates to fine offenders an average of $75 for every cum! employed a fact which has angered community leaders and disappointeu Morul inspectors
No one knows the exact{ mumber of children employed
children work up to 14 hours * day
inspectors
1968-69.
labour
In inspectors made 36,385 visits to factories resulting in 325 prosecutions.
Last August alone, factory inspectors called on 1 708 factories and found 1,387 children
The figures would have been highes if the inspectori had caught the many children who fled on their approach, but the law prevents in- spectors from chasing such runaways.
The impending blitz on factories was generally wel- comed by community leaders.
.One Urban Councilor, Dr Denny Huang, however, feli the children should be left alone as most of them formed "an important source" of the family income.
Public assistance and social in factories, although there | welfare, he believed, chouid
have beco numerous que Jes.
be drastically improved first
The Labour Department, before any serious effort at however, concedes that one | stamping out child labour w21 in four, or 3,600 out of made.
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