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prohibited.
However, the Ordinance provides that the
A few
Commissioner of Labour, in such cases as he shall think
fit and subject to such conditions as he may specify, may
grant exemptions to any industrial undertaking.
exemptions have been granted in the past, but only to
women working as supervisors (less than 0.18% of the
total work force of 239,462 women being involved).
Although strictly speaking these powers can be exercised
without reference to us, it has been the practice not to
use them except after consultation and agreement with us.
4. During his visit to Hong Kong in June Lord Shepherd
held discussions with unofficial members of Executive and
Legislative Councils (UMELCO) at which this subject was
raised. A record of the discussion is attached. The
suggestion was made that the Commissioner of Labour should
be free to use his discretionary powers on a wider basis
and without reference to us; Lord Shepherd replied that he
personally saw no objection in principle provided that the
nightwork was voluntary and there were proper safeguards.
He thought however that others might regard it as a retro-
gressive step and that it was therefore necessary to look
at the proposal in the light of labour legislation generally.
He would like to see the use by the Commissioner of Labour of
these powers of exemption offset by the introduction of four
statutory rest days a month for men.
5. This specific condition is well on the way to fulfilment.
Legislation has been drafted which will not only permit male
adults in industry to take four rest days in the month if
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