La
24 July 1979
Mr Robert Parry_(Liverpool, Scotland Exchange): Te ask the Lord Privy Seal, what new legislation has been introduced in Hong Kong since June 1974 that regulates the employment of children under 14 years of age, stating in each case the title of the ordinance, the date of introduction and what sections of the ordinances concern such employment.
No W42
MR PETER BLAKER
The following legislation regulating the employment of children in industrial undertakings has been enacted since 1974:
1. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations, which came into effect on 6 May 1977, raised the maximum penalty for offences relating to the employment of children from HK$5,000 to HK$10,000.
2.
The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 1977, which came into effect on 23 December 1977, extended the scope of these Regulations to airports and industrial undertakings which are not carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain.
3. The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance 1979 enacted on 18 July will enable Regulations to be made under the Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57) to prohibit or control the employment of children in all sectors. The new Regulations will extend the existing prohibition on the employment of children in industrial undertakings to non-industrial establishments, and the minimum age of employment generally will be 14 from 1 September and 15 from 1 September 1980.