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(d)1) Food food supplied as part of earnings is good and plenti-
The
ful and, in many cases, better than a worker would think of buying for himself.
(ii) Men in many weaving and knitting concerns are on a per- manent basis and even if business is slack and there is no work, food and lodging still continue to be provided though possibly no cash wage. (111) where food supplied but paid for by workers (.e.g most
spinning mills) of good quality and plentiful and the charge does not cover the whole cost balance borne by the mill.
Section 3. Hours of work.
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(a) Tempo not slower in spinning, increased earnings (very
few really unskilled Jobs - mostly semi-skilled (see Section 1 (f)(1)).
(b) 12 hours a day common in weaving
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11 and 10-11 "
spinning
knitting and garment-making. (c) Hours may seem long but in weaving, knitting and garment-
making discipline comparatively easy. Tea is usually on tap, and workers break off to have a drink or to have a chat. Most of the workers are on piece-rates and stops affect chiefly their own earnings, so except where there is any particular urgency (e.g. completion of order for shipment), no objection made to their temporary stoppages
of work.
Section 4. Trade Unions.
(a) Number at end of December 1949 259 (69 Employers' associa-
tions, 186 Labour Unions and 4 Mixed Unions). (b) Four workers' unions with a membership of 3,808, and two
employers' associations with a membership of 623 specifi- cally concerned with textiles (cotton and silk) and three more organisations (one for woollen textiles) have applied for registration. (c) of the registered Trade Unions, one of the most active in
pursuance of improvement is the Hong Kong & Kowloon Female Knitters' Association. (The English translation of the name is misleading as a great many of their members are weavers. At first, exclusively female, it has now applied to be allowed to include male members).
This Association has small medical and welfare bene- fits, canteens and a day nursery; does its best to promote education for members and children of members. Now, in conjunction with female members of other unions, is actively considering extension of canteens and day nurseries, and setting up of hostels.