and
7
Hong Kong had paid holidays with leave, but every country (sic) in Hong Kong had many more statutory holidays, but every country except Hong Kong - I think I'm right in saying this had yes I am had a weekly rest day with the exception of
Indonesia which had 52 rest days a year which comes to much the same thing. Well
this is a field in which clearly we were lagging behind. Many people in Hong Kong
have paid annual holidays anyway including yourself and myself and there seemed
no reason why there was something particular about Hong Kong workforce that they
should be denied this very reasonable concession especially when you consider the
immenso contribution which they make to the economy of Hong Kong. o this is something
which we intend putting right. But by putting it right because we think it right for
Hong Kong - now you mentioned some other things which it is perfectly true we are defective in (if that is the right word) in comparison to certainly Singapore and
Malaysia and one or two other countries. Well we certainly can't consider them this
year. But later on yes, we will study them. We will study them very carefullly and
the criterion we will apply is, will this be of practical benefit to people in Hong Kong or not. If it is we will adopt it, ifit's not we won't. But I certainly can't prejudge now what the outcome will be and it is something definitely for the
future and not at all the immediate future.
that Q. After the legislation....will the workers be able to take their holidays...year
or will they have to wait until 12 months after March 1977.
that to the seven days holiday comes out,
G. Wall, there you've got me. But the principal of 7 days holiday with p ay I am sure is right. The question of implementation is under discussion and consultation
between the Commissioner of Labour and both sidesof industry. What will come out of
that I cannot prejudge. But the idea was that this should come into force in the
course of 1978.
Q. Lindistinct)
G. I don't think so, no.
Q.legislation ....you said it will come down in '78 that means that people who have been working for say ten years or five years previously or one year, will still have to work for another year before
G. No I didn't say that. I said that I honestly don't know but the legislation will
be in effect as from the beginning of '78 that is assuming that it commends itself
to the Legislative Council, and precise details of the legislation, as it were the implementation of the principle is now being worked out by the Commissioner of Labour or will be worked out by the Commissioner of Labour consulting, as is his normal
way, both sides of industry.
Q. You mentioned earlier about int@oducing more companies laws. You also mentioned
about...
G. Insider trading
Q. Yes. Do you have a particular programme for introduction of these laws and
what are your priorities.
G. Well I did mention, if you will refer to my speech to Legislative Council, what we have in mind for this year. I said that we all recognised that some measure to deal with insider trading was overdue and I know the Attomey General is working