EMPLOYMENT
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The number of workers who went overseas on contracts attested by the Com- missioner of Labour during 1973 was 701, compared with 737 in the previous year and 1,310 in 1971. Few of these workers were accompanied by dependants.
Wages and Conditions of Work
Most semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the manufacturing industries are piece-rated, although daily rates of pay are also common. Men and women receive the same rates for piece-work, but women are generally paid less when engaged on a time basis. Wages may be calculated on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis or on piece rates and are customarily paid every two weeks or weekly.
The range of daily wages for the manufacturing industries at the end of 1973 was $14.90 to $52.80 for skilled workers'; $11.70 to $38.60 for semi-skilled workers; and $10.80 to $26 for unskilled workers. Many employers provide their workers with free accommodation, subsidised meals or food-allowances, good attendance bonuses, paid rest-days, and a Lunar New Year bonus of one month's pay.
A consumer price index, intended as an indicator of the effects of price changes on household expenditure, continued to be published throughout the year. It varied from 144 to 181 (base of 100-period of September 1963 to August 1964). In December 1973, this index stood at 170 (see Appendix 15). A special index based on the expendi- ture of households spending less than $600 a month and known as the modified consumer price index is also published and used as the basis for adjustment in the salaries of minor staff in government service. A proportion of the wages of all minor staff (Scale 1) in the public service is adjusted quarterly by reference to this index.
The Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and its regulations control the hours and conditions of work in industry. Since December 1, 1971, the maximum hours of work for women and young people, aged 16 and 17, employed in industry have been eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. In addition to establishing maximum daily working hours, the regulations impose a limit on overtime and provide for weekly rest-days, and rest-breaks for women and young people.
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Young people aged 14 and 15 may work eight hours a day in industry with a break of one hour after five hours continuous work. Children under the age of 14 are prohibited from working in industry, and no woman or young person is allowed to work at night or underground. The regulations also provide for a pre-employment medical examination of men employed underground or in tunnelling operations and for the periodical medical examination of men under 21 years of age employed under- ground.
Because of a continuing shortage of labour, a few large factories, mostly engaged in cotton spinning, were authorised in 1970 to employ women at night. This permis- sion was restricted to those able to comply with stringent conditions. This experimental concession is reviewed annually.
There are no legal restrictions on hours of work for men. Most men employed in industry work between eight and 10 hours a day. Government employees, and