CONFIDENTIAL
72
HONG KONG PLANNING PAPER: SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
(1) Labour
In the field of labour legislation to achieve conditions in Hong Kong at least up to the best Asian equivalent (excluding Japan) within 5 years. This should include:
(a) the provision of one rest day a week to manual workers
by 1 January 1977;
(b)
(c)
(a)
(e)
(f)
better provision for statutory public holidays with pay by 1 January 1977;
provision for statutory holidays with pay by
1 January 1978;
the prohibition of employment of minors under 14 by 1979 and under 15 by 1980;
a wider coverage of safety regulations;
improved sickness benefit and redundancy payments;
(g) further consideration to be given to the introduction of
statutory minimum wages for low paid occupations;
(h)
consideration to be given to the introduction of limitations on the hours of work of adult males and of statutory provision for overtime rates.
In addition, more rapid progress should be made by Hong Kong in the application of ILO Conventions. Hong Kong's record in this respect will continue to be subject to regular ministerial review.
(2) Fiscal
(a) to provide sufficient funds for the implementation of
the programmes under (3) below, preferably by a more progressive system of taxation, or by borrowing;
(b)
to examine further the relationship between the Hong Kong Government and the banks.
CONFIDENTIAL