10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1978
SUPPLY OF FEMALE WORKFORCE AND NURSERIES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME +ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST AMONG INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE PROVISION OF NURSERIES FOR CHILDREN OF THEIR WORKFORCE CLOSE TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK.
MR. HO ASSURED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD READILY PROVIDE ANY NECESSARY GUIDANCE AND ADVICE IN THE SETTING UP OF THESE NURSERIES IF THE INDUSTRIALISTS CONSIDER THIS WOULD OPEN UP A FRESH SUPPLY OF FEMALE LABOUR FOR INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT, AND AS AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT FOR WORKING MOTHERS ALREADY AT WORK.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. JAMES WU WHO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE AND EXPEDITE THE SETTING UP OF MORE NURSERIES SO THAT MOTHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR WORK IN INDUSTRY.
ANSWER ING ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. WU CONCERNING A CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF LABOUR+, MR. HO SAID: IN A FREE ECONOMY LIKE HONG KONG WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ANY ARTIFICIAL LIMITATIONS ON WAGE BARGAINING OR ON LABOUR MOBILITY, A CHRONIC, OR LONG-LASTING, SHORTAGE OF LABOUR CANNOT OCCUR.
+ANY TEMPORARY SHORTAGE OF FEMALE LABOUR CAN BE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE WAGE RATE BEING OFFERED WHICH MAY INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF SUCH LABOUR TO MEET DEMAND.
+THIS PROCESS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE SHORTAGE IS ELIMINATED, + HE SAID.
/11
+