EMPLOYMENT
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were introduced in January 1959, and which have recently been amended to allow for the phased introduction of a 48 hour week, resulted in a decrease in a number of hours worked by men in the same concern. By December 1, 1967, 209 cotton spinning and silk weaving mills had introduced a system of three eight-hour daily shifts, cotton weaving mills were on either two or three shifts, and it was estimated that 34,421 men and 36,527 women were working eight hours a day. A rest period of one hour a day is customary through- out industry, but when working hours exceed eight a day, the period may be prolonged to as much as three hours. Except where con- tinuous production demands a rotation of rest days, which are usually unpaid, Sunday is the most common rest day. Many male industrial workers do not have a rest day, but it is customary to grant unpaid leave on request.
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LABOUR ADMINISTRATION AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
The Commissioner of Labour is the principal adviser to the Governor on labour and industrial relations policies. All labour legislation is initiated in the Labour Department, which ensures that Hong Kong's obligations under International Labour Conven- tions are observed. The organization of the department provides for four divisions: Labour Relations and Development; Industry; Employment; Industrial Health.
The Labour Department continued to assist local trade unionists in obtaining training overseas. One trade unionist attended a Labour Union Leadership course in Canada under the joint spon- sorship of the Canadian External Aid Office and the Canadian Labour Congress. Another went to Britain for an Industrial Rela- tions course organized by the Ministry of Overseas Development in co-operation with the Ministry of Labour.
With the exception of a small neutral and independent segment, workers' unions are either affiliated to, or associated with, one of two local federations which bear allegiance to opposing political groups and which are registered as societies. Divided politically, and further separated by differences in dialect, the number of unions has grown beyond practical needs, and divergent loyalties have prevented those with common interests from amalgamating into effective organizations.