CONFIDENTIAL
2
HONG KONG AND TAIWAN WAGES AND CONDITIONS WOULD BE FAVOURABLE TO HONG KONG, WHERE NOT ONLY ARE WAGES STEADILY INCREASING BUT WORKING CONDITIONS CONSTANTLY IMPROVING. WAGES HAVE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS RISEN 40% (FORTY PER CENT): COST OF LIVING OVER THE SAME PERIOD LESS THAN 15% (FIFTEEN PER CENT). IMPROVEMENTS IN LABOUR LEGISLATION INCLUDE IMPROVEMENT IN BENEFITS AND SCOPE OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION, AND PROGRESSIVE REDUCTION IN HOURS OF WORK FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS SO THAT MAXIMUM PERMITTED LEVEL WILL BE 48 HOURS PER WEEK WITHIN TWO YEARS. FOUR STATUTORY REST DAYS FOR MALE WORKERS PER MONTH ARE BEING INTRODUCED AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN ADDITION HAS OTHER PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION VERY MUCH
IN MIND.
STEWART
1
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
HONG KONG DEPT.
O.L.A.
NEWS DEPT.
AMERICAN DEPT.
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
MR. DUNNETT, B.O.T.
MR. NICOLL, B.O.T.
MR. S. STEWART, MINTECH.
CONFIDENTIAL
לית