CONFIDENTIAL
(b) to assist in making policy objectives and in determining priorities between competing demands for the allocation of available resources; and
(c) to match policies more closely with the resources likely
to be available during the planning period.
7.
Labour Department
8.
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(a) Statutory holidays increased from 6 to 10 per annum, with effect from 1 January 1977;
(b) Rest days increased from 4 a month to 1 a week with effect from 1 January 1977;
(c) Provision for paid annual leave: draft Bill to be introduced into LegCo during current quarter of 1977. Law to take effect from 1 January 1978.
(d) Prohibition of employment of young persons under 14 years of age in the non-industrial sector. Action depends upon further implementation of the relevant parts of the (1974) White Paper on Education on which work is expected to start in the second half of 1977;
(e) Industrial Safety Regulations: Regulations have been approved to provide for guarding of dangerous machinery and parts thereof; to provide for safety measures governing the installation and operation of single-user lifts within factories and to protect workers from health hazards arising from the manufacture of dry batteries. Work is proceeding on regulations to control the use of cartridge operated fixing tools; to protect workers' eyes at work; to ensure workers' safety in connection with handling of electrical appliances; to improve the existing provision of the regulations for construction sites; and to protect workers' hearing at work;
(f) A draft Bill has been prepared to increase the maximum number of sickness days which can be accumulated from 24 to 36 and to increase the sickness allowance from half to two-thirds of a day's wages. The Bill is expected to be enacted during the first quarter of 1977;
(g)
Minimum wage legislation and statutory hours of work and overtime. It is proposed to consider the introduction of a statutory minimum wage for certain low-paid occupations and to consider the introduction of an eight-hour day for all employees with specified overtime rates. Research on wage structures within various occupations needs to be carried out. The results of this research are expected by the end of 1977.
Housing Branch
Housing Production target: (a) Nine new estates to accommodate 200,000 persons are at varying stages of construction.
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CONFIDENTIAL