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Mr. Godden
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Hong Kong: Nightwork for Women
Problem
In his Saving Despatch No. 1142 the Governor of Hong Kong
43) has asked for agreement that his Commissioner of Labour can
Pew
use his powers under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings
Ordinance to grant further selective exemptions to specified
industrial establishments from the regulation prohibiting the
employment of women at night. He indicated in discussions
here on the 24th November that he wishes to initiate consultat-
ions for the purpose of deciding the conditions under which
exemptions will be granted. The sort of undertakings which
would then be considered for such exemptions would be capital
intensive and such as rely on the dexterity of women for the
manufacture of their products. No undertaking would be exempted
which did not offer reasonable and safe working conditions.
Recommendation.
2. I recommend that approval (already conditionally given)
should be confirmed and that the Governor should be authorised
to hold consultations for the purpose of deciding the conditions
under which exemptions will be granted. A draft Saving Despatch
is attached. The Overseas Labour Adviser concurs in this
submission.
Background and Argument
3. Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance
the employment of women between the hours of 8.00 p.m. (or
9.00 p.m. where overtime has been worked) and 6.00 a.m. is
1