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the sudden closure of this long established and well reputed factory is not a lightning look out but the result of economic difficulties.
Axa ination of the factories' books proves that between March and August 1950 there was a steady decline in the number of workers employed so that between 300 and 400 workers had left the factory by July. 30 to 40 workers were laid off in May but apart from this there is no evidence of any laying off and there is no reason to doubt the manage- ment's statement that those who left did so of their own free will, because the decline in the amount of business reduced the amount which could be earned on a piece work basis. The management admit that between March and July they made some attempts to reduce the number of workers in order to provide fuller employment for the remainder. The se attempts vere resisted by the workers who preferred to accept lower earnings so as to maintain continuous employ- ment for all. By the end of July the majority of piece workers was only working about 3 hours daily.
Prior to March 1950, the wages of daily-paid workers ranged from 19 a day to $2.50. In March these wages were increased to $9.30 and $3.10 respectively with parallel increases in the intermediate grades. When the factory closed daily paid workers were still being paid at these increased rates.
The workers are divided between two unions - the Hong Kong Rubber Shoe Workers' Union and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Hubber and Plastic Workers' General Union. The first of these, which claims a membership in the factory of 700 workers, is one of the unions affiliated to the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council (right wing). The second, which claims 400 workers, is affiliated to the long Kong Federation of Trade Unions which is left wing.
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has