FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1979
BAN ON EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 14
COMES INTO FORCE TOMORROW
*****
CHILDREN UNDER 14 WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK IN ALL FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHEN THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1979 COME INTO FORCE.
A SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS), MRS. EVELYN PUN, TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT CONTRAVENTION OF THE REGULATIONS CARRIED A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000.
SHE URGED THOSE WHO HAVE QUERIES ABOUT THE REGULATIONS TO CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT'S WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT IN THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
MRS. PUN SAID THAT THE PROHIBITION, ALREADY IN FORCE IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR FOR A LONG TIME, WAS BEING EXTENDED TO THE NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO ASSIST IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF COMPULSORY JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION.
*THE POSITION WITH REGARD TO CHILD LABOUR IN HONG KONG HAS IMPROVED TREMENDOUSLY OVER THE PAST DECADE, AND THE EXTENSION OF THE PROHIBITION IS ANOTHER MAJOR EFFORT TOWARDS ERADICATING WHAT LITTLE REMAINS, SHE ADDED.
MRS. PUN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE 1979, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WAS EMPOWERED TO EXEMPT, IN WRITING, ANY PERSON OR CLASS OF PERSONS FROM THE REGULATIONS FOR SUCH PERIOD AND SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS HE MAY IMPOSE.
CHILDREN WHO WERE 13 YEARS OF AGE MAY, WITH THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS, AND UPON THE PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE, ENGAGE IN PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT IN NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AIMED AT PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH AND MORALS.
THESE RESTRICTIONS INCLUDE THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF A CHILD, IF NECESSARY, THE SETTING OUT SPECIFICALLY ON A PRESCRIBED FORM BY THE EMPLOYER A CHILD'S PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, HOURS OF WORK, MEAL OR REST BREAK WHICH MUST BE NO LESS THAN AN HOUR, AND OTHER MATTERS.
THEY SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED.
* IN ANY OF THE OCCUPATIONS LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE TO
THE REGULATIONS-
*
BEFORE 7 A.M. OR AFTER 7 P.M.-
* DURING SCHOOL HOURS ON A SCHOOL DAY-
* FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS ON A SCHOOL DAY-
* FOR MORE THAN FOUR HOURS ON ANY OTHER DAY DURING
THE SCHOOL TERM=
/ DURING THE