48
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
effect to the Colony's obligations under International Labour conventions. It carries out the registration and inspection of industrial undertakings to ensure, in particular, safe and healthy conditions of work. It acts as a channel of concilia- tion in disputes between trade unions and employers, and individual workmen and employers. It provides advice and assistance to trade unions in the management of their affairs, including the organization of classes on various aspects of trade unionism; seeks to encourage joint consultation in industry; and advises on the establishment of appropriate machinery for this purpose. It is responsible for the protec- tion of women and young persons employed in industry in compliance, in particular, with internationally accepted restrictions on their working hours. It protects emigrant workers; and administers the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, primarily by investigations conducted by a staff of trained labour inspectors. It carries out surveys of wage rates and levels, and conditions of employment; and is responsible for ensuring that publicity is given to the major provisions of the legislation with which the department is concerned.
Besides the committees already mentioned, the depart- ment is represented on numerous other committees (mainly interdepartmental) in such fields as industry, welfare and
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health.
During the year the distribution of a large number of industrial safety posters to local factories was undertaken. In addition to the publication of various pamphlets by the department, 72 different articles dealing with aspects of safety, health, welfare, trade unionism, etc., were prepared by officers of the department and distributed through the Public Relations Office for use by the local vernacular press. The Commissioner of Labour visited 59 factories and 27 trade union premises during the year. Through the courtesy of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, the Labour Department was provided with a stall in which to mount a