Appendix 5
Survey by Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee on Maternity Protection for omen Workers in Hong Kong
Final Report October 1978
INTRODUCTION
The development of light industry in ilong Kong as well as the rise in cost of living has resulted in big increases in the number of women, married or ummarried, joining the labour force. In 1948, there were 24,888 women working in industry or 41% of the work force. Today, 30 years after, the number
of women workers in factories has gone up to 413,441 or 51.4% of the total. Factories continue to report vacancies for women workers. In June 1978, such vacancies numbered 36,950, or 78% of all the reported vacancies. Without doubt, women occupy an important role in Hong Kong's industrial production capability.
To safeguard the interests of women workers, the International Labour Organisation has adopted various conventions providing standards on working hours, industrial safety and maternity benefits etc. These conventions have been adopted by many countries. Eut in the provision of paid maternity leave, Hong Kong has been notoriously behind international requirement, indeed, a comparison of twelve Acian countries, some of them much less developed and affluent would show that Hong Kong is at the bottom of the scale. Herewith the comparison:
Country
Hong Kong China
Legal maternity subsidy
no
100% of regular wage 100%
Leral maternity leave
10 weeks
8 weeks
the Philippines
6 weeks
Thailand
India
Singapore
60 days
50
12 weeks
100%
8 weeks
100%
S. Korea
10 weeks
100%
Sri Lanka
6 weeks
100%
Taiwan
45 days
60 days
Indonesia
6 weeks (uncertain)
Malaysia Japan
In llong Kong, more and more of married women in the 20 been joining the labour force.
lumpsum
$3 per day
60% of regular wage
50%
44 age bracket have
Comparison of larried omen's participation in labour force (%)
Age 20 Age 25
<<
24 34
Age 35 - 44
1961
1971
1976
28.18%
30.41%
39.35%%
27.84
32.17
37.15
35.19
37.33
41.93
These working women face many problems. During the expectancy period, they experience double economic loss: they suffer the loss of earning as present legislation provides for no paid maternity leave, and on the other hand, they have to pay for medical care and other related expenses. the shortage of nursery services often prevents some of them from rejoining
And,
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