CODE 18 - 17
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Quantull
Rr Rebaten
Mr Thompson HKGD
Reference
LA/HK/10
(5
Juttack The Hurst's parents into
redraft tabung
LABOUR CONDITIONS, INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND SOCIAL WELFARE IN 2 HONG KONG A COMPARISON WITH SIX OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES
4
1. Please refer to your minute of 21 June below.
2.
Hong Kong is our particular colonial responsibility whilst the other countries cited in the report are independent. We must therefore be careful, for example, to avoid falling for the illusion that our critics in this country can be silenced by referring to law and practice in Indonesia, Korea, et al. Moreover, the Governor in his speech in October 1976 did refer to relating Hong Kong's labour and social security legislation to the best in neighbouring Asian countries with the exception of Japan. A quick look at Table 23 reveals that Hong Kong is still behind the best in respect of:-
3.
Minimum age for employment (see also para.2.1)
Normal hours of work; men, women and young persons
Actual hours of work
Overtime work (men)
Shift work (men).
Maximum weight to be carried (women)
Statutory holidays with pay
SE HKK 212/5
Annual leave with pay (number of days)
Rest days (payment of wages)
Maternity protection (wages)
Overtime rates
I
•
RECEIVED IN RESISTU 40. 51 - 2 AUG 1978
DEAK BYK
INDEX:
ملية
Equal remuneration (male and female employees)
Minimum wages
PA.
RE RY Action Taken
Contracts of employment (termination and severance pay) Protection of wages.
After reading Part X of the report on "Social Security" I have the impression that Hong Kong may be in danger of falling behind other countries in the region: c.f. para 10.2 with regard to the intentions of Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, and para.10.3 with regard to the Philippines existing social insurance scheme. The Malaysian and Singapore National Provident Fund schemes are not without merit (para.10.3). Employment Injury benefits (paras. 10.8 to 10.14) are another area in which Hong Kong may need better provisions but this is currently under consideration in
Hong Kong.
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CONFIDENTIAL
14.
Para. 9.14