NEWSCLIP/APCUT
THE GUARDIAN
Daily
(Circ. 282,789)
3 - MAR 1970
Protest at night shifts
N1270-
By CYRIL LEACH
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Protests against "the growing hreat of Hongkong's low-wage exports are mounting since Dermission was given by the Hongkong Government · for vomen to work night shifts in
actories.
Mr H. J. Gibson, general ecretary of the National Union if Hosiery and Knitwear Workers, who recently sent a lelegation to Hongkong, Formosa, and Japan, His sent": etter of protest to Lord Shep- erd, Minister of State at the foreign and Commonwealth Office.
"We are alarmed by this eversal of policy " Mr Gibson said yesterday. More than 64 per cent of the work force” in the clothing industry in Hong cong is female. Until now women aged 18 and over could normally work only between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., but with prior approval of the Commissioner of Labour, one hour's overtime was allowed up to 9 p.m.”
Mr Jack Greenhalgh, cre- tary of the International Federation of Textile and Garment Workers, said that permission for women to go on night shifts in Hongkeng fác- tories had been given for a trial period from March 1, 1970, until June 30, 1971,
But I believe that once permission has been granted st will be permanent. It seems that the Labour Commissioner, who at first refused permbusion, is free to change his mind when pressurised by industrialistų ki do so. 1 claim at equal right to bring pressuré on him tớ revert to his previous décision and not allow women workers to go on night shifts.
Women workers are sup- posed to sign, a document agree- ing to go on night shift. But most of them are illiterate and they would be sacked if they refuse to sign."
The International Textile and Garment Workers' Federation 8 calling on its 57 affiliated inions, representing 3.5 million vorkers in 36 countries, to bring ›ressure on their Governments ban imports of Hongkong goods unless the colony imposes * more humane " working condi ions.
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In its official report, the felegation observed that Formosa could be a greater hreat to the hosiery and knit wear industry in the Western World and the USA than Hong. I kong, since wage rates there were lower, the educational system was better.
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