62
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
Welfare. Every registrable workplace must supply first- aid equipment and drinking water, and all plans for new factory buildings must include provision for dining or rest rooms. An increasing number of industrial managements appreciate the importance of welfare facilities for their workers, and many have progressed beyond the minimum standards required by the Labour Department. Besides din- ing and rest rooms, clinics are provided by many industrial and business firms, and at these doctors attend periodically each week to treat occupational and general diseases of the workers concerned and sometimes their families, in some cases free of charge. In some industrial undertakings can- teens, non-profit-making co-operative stores, subsidized meals, free cooking facilities, barber shops, laundries, read- ing rooms and school rooms are provided. Free quarters, or more commonly dormitory accommodation, are not un- common. In addition to the housing projects set up for workers and their families by various utility companies during the year, an increasing number of establishments offered free dormitory accommodation. Those concerns which cannot afford to erect their own accommodation either rent or buy tenement buildings for this purpose. Smaller concerns cannot afford all these amenities mentioned, but it is worth noting that even in the smallest factory a constant supply of tea or boiled water is hormally available.
Some undertakings organize picnic excursions for their workers in the summer and walks in the country in the winter. Welfare facilities frequently include cinema shows, Cantonese opera, table tennis, libraries, sports grounds for football and basketball games, and in a few instances even swimming pools. In some cases free or subsidized schooling for workers' children, and free classes for adults are ar- ranged. During the year several firms took advantage of the Workers' Playtime Programme organized by Radio Hong Kong. Several firms have a Welfare Officer and Welfare Department, and in others a member of the staff is in charge