2.
Appendix 5 (cont'd)
the work force.
In 1968, the Government Inter-Departmental Working Party on Social Security confessed that "e were under the impression that the making of a work grant to female employees on the occasion of confinement was a fairly common practice in commerce and industry in Hong Kong, but the answers given in the sample survey belie this." (p.54 6.17)
Basically, the description in 1968 remains true today. According to a study by the Chinese lianufacturers' Association, only 29% of employees in industry received full paid maternity leave. For private schools, another report showed that 51% did not provide paid maternity leave.
Back in 1965, a labour organisation asked government to institute a full-pay maternity leave scheme. The Government-appointed orking Farty on Social Security agreed that the proposal dealt with an urgent need. But the official position ruled that the issue of paid maternity leave should be considered at a later stage, after other social security provisions. This then has been the attitude of government for more than ten years. Government apathy. was once again illustrated when the Medical and Health Department refused to cooperate with us on this study.
Since the authorities have shown little interest in incorporating paid mater- nity leave into its social security system, we feel the same and should be achieved through labour legislation.
PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY OF SURVEY
The chief purpose of the survey is to identify the problems faced by working women during the period of expectancy, and to seek ways of solving those problems.
The Survey involves the interviewing of expectant mothers who are regular wage earners, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed by the Committee in consultation with specialists and working women with experience of giving birth. The pilot study was completed by early August 1978. After a review, official interviews began in mid-August, ending mid-September, 1978. More than 50 trained interviewers took part in the work at five hospitals, covering eventually 1,000 expectant and hospitalised pregnant women. Of the 1,000 interviewees, 99.5% are working women.
The five hospitals are United Christian Hospital, Fwong ah Hospital, Seventh Day Adventistanitorium, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital and the Alice. Nethersole Hospital.
Of the 1,000 women interviewed, 636 were expectant mothers, 321 were post- partum mothers, 40 were others in hospital, and 3 interviewed at home.
Leference
Hong Kong lionthly Statistics July 1978
Statistics of Establishments and Employment June 1978
Economic reporter No. 1572 of 1978
Labour Department Annual Reports
Labour Laws and Social insurance schemes of different countries.
ILC Conventions No.3, o. 102 and No. 103
CA survey on Family Welfare & Planning in Hong Kong
Help for those least able to help themselves (A programme of social security-
development November 1977)
Alumni of Northcote College of Education Survey on Job Recurity and Welfare
condition for Private Secondary School teachers.
../3
: