1 TS AND FIGURES
Accident
Young workers work in cramped, unhygienic and dangerous conditions similar to Victorian England. 400 factory fines in 1975. rate 40,000 in 1976.
"Any worker is lucky to have a job. The risk is part of the deal. Children employed mainly in toys, electronics and textiles.
Minimum working are in Hong Kong is 14. olds work in factories (mostly girls.)
Injuries 1972-5
142 workers aged 14 -
500 2500
#1
11
16
14
-
At least 35,000 14-17 year
15 in plastics industries
tt
17
17 in plastics, textiles, electronics industries,
No figures for in ured illegal workers i.e. 13 or under.
Fines
1975 average fine for child labour conviction
£40
Law provides for a maximum fine of £625 - but never imposed.
Former magistrate
"Fines are not used as a deterrent because of the business community. There is no-concern for the workers only the business.
-
Labour Inspectorate is 40% under strength no real protection against excessive overtime working without breaks at night, Sundays having hours of work changed without proper notice.
Homeworkers
sewing and assembling toys
laws and paid very low wages.
Britain's Position
-
totally outside the labour
It is within Britain's power to change the situation - could insist on new laws or fines.
British Firms in Hong Kong
Convicted under sweated labour laws - Dunbee, Combex, Mattel Local companies who produce for Lesney, Mettoy and Airfix.
Local companies who supply Woolworths, British Home Stores and W.H. Smith.
£25 million worth of toys from Hong Kong sold in Britain in 1976.
Those firms which have their products made in Hong Kong do not own or run the factor es and are therefore not legally responsible for working conditions.
Lesney. Mettoy, Airfix Dunbee Combex Mattel have all been fined for labour offences including illegal overtime, employing under age children, employing workers illegally on rest days, inadequate fire precautions sweated labour, inadequate protection for machinery.