94.
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Two training authorities, for the clothing and construction industries, have been established to operate training centres providing practical training in key occupations for the two industries, financed by levies on the output of each industry.
95. The Apprenticeship Ordinance provides a legal framework for the training of craftsmen and technicians. On the recommendation of the Hong Kong Training Council 36 trades have been specified as designated trades under the Ordinance and employers may only employ a young person between 14 and 18 years of age as an apprentice under a valid contract of apprenticeship. Up to January 1980, over 13,052 ⚫ontracts had been registered under the Ordinance. All apprentices under this schemo attend appropriate part-time day-release
courses.
Trade Unions
96.
The Trade Unions Ordinance (Cap. 332) provides for the registration, affiliation, amalgamation and operation of trade unions. The Registrar of Trade Unions (who is quite separate from the Labour Department) registers trade unions and ensures that they comply with the provisions of the Ordinance. He also provides advice and guidance to persons wishing to form trade unions.
97
is at 31 December 1979 there were 396 registered trade unions. These include 340 employees! unions, 41 employers' associations and 15 mixed employers/employees organisations. Over half of these unions have a declared membership below 250 each.
98.
The estimated total membership of registered trade unions was 412,690, representing an increase of about 2,100 over the previous year. The estimated total number of women unionists was 91,970, representing a decrease of about 230 compared with the previous year. Details are as follows:
(a) Employees
Employees' unions
Employ
liyees
affiliated to Federation of Trade Unions (communist)
No. of trade unions
Estimated membership
66
212,890
(ii)
friendly to Federation of Trade Unions
30
71,890
(iii) affiliated to Trade Union Council (Taiwan oriented)
74
32,800
(iv)
friendly to Trade Union Council
9
1,150
(v) neutral or indeped ent
161
Sub-total
340
83,870 402,600
b) Employers' associations
41
4,200
(c)
Mixed employers/employees organis tions
15
Total:
396
5.890
412,690
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