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LABOUR LEGISLATION
1. There are a number of grounds for criticism of Hong Kong's labour legislation, eg:-
(i) no provision for statutory minimum wages for those
in low paid occupations;
(ii) (iii)
(iv)
no limitation on the hours of work for adult males;
an inadequate number of statutory paid public holi- days. The present six such days a year are due to be increased to ten in 1977 but this figure would still compare unfavourably with Singapore (11), Taiwan (13) and Indonesia (12);
no provision for paid annual leave, which is provided for in other parts of the region. It is hoped to introduce one week's paid leave in Hong Kong in
1978;
(v)
the lack of a weekly rest day, as opposed to the present practice of four days' rest a month. is the intention to introduce a weekly rest day in
the near future.
It
Line to Take
2.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts may wish to say that while we recognise that progress has been made in improving working conditions in Hong Kong, thanks particularly to the part played by the Labour Department in recent years, Ministers are bound to be mindful of the continuing concern expressed in this country about working conditions in Hong Kong, especially when the standards fall below those of the Colony's neighbours. If Sir Y K Kan defends the measures taken as already adequate, Lord Goronwy-Roberts may wish to point out that the modest proposals for improvement in working conditions, eg those mentioned in (iii), (iv) and (v) above are, in the view of the Ministers, objectively right as well as being
/in Hong Kong's
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