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especially as the Director of Marine is considering what progress can be made on the application of Maritime Conventions. From 1980 onwards, however, it is probable that the number of declara- tions made on behalf of the Hong Kong Government must decline. This is not to say that progress will not be possible after 1980 in improving labour and social legislation and that the standards set by International Labour Conventions and Recommendations should not be used for guidance and as stated aims of policy as, for example, with those relating to Social Security. Additionally, the Hong Kong Government in, say, 1980, might examine those standards in respect of such matters as "Equal Remuneration" and "Hygiene (Commerce and Offices)" (International Labour Conventions Nos. 100 and 120 respectively) to see whether they are relevant to Hong Kong's circumstances and could be made the subject of a declaration of application.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT
43. I have commented earlier (paras. 13 and 14) on the need to expand the Labour and Factories Inspectorates. The quality of organisation and performance of the Department and its staff under the direction of Mr Williams as Labour Commissioner has been good. The positive publicity of the Department, including the work of the Industrial Safety Training Centre; the staging of an exhibition illustrating the guarding of machinery which drew 38,000 visitors, and the practice of holding an annual careers exhibition which last November attracted some 113,000 visitors, has contributed to the Department's public image. The Labour Relations Service of the Department has continued to make an effective and much appreciated contribution to industrial peace through its patient handling of disputes and grievances. The range of publications - all available free in English and Chinese - issued by the Department is superior to anything I have seen outside Western Europe.
SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
44. My main conclusions are:-
(a)
(b)
(c)
No change should be made for the present in the conditions prescribed by the Labour Commissioner which regulate the employment of women on night work (para. 8).
The thrice-yearly campaigns to check on the illegal employment of children should be continued by the Labour Department (para. 10).
Care should be taken in defining exemptions from the general rule making illegal the employment of children in non-industrial undertakings or occupations (para. 12).
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(d) Proposals