WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 198
10.77% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING LESS THAN
$4 000 PER MONTH;
9.12% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $4 000 ASL 312 999 PER MONTH; AND
8.77% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN
$13 000 AND $23 555 PER MONTH.
AS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE CONCERN OF THE STAFF SIDE REPRESENTATIVĖS OVER THE MERIT ELEMENT IDENTIFIED IN SOME OF THE REPORTED PAY INCREASES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE EMPHASISED THAT THESE FIGURES ARE ONLY THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF PAY TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE LEVEL OF THE CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT, IF ANY, IS A SEPARATE MATTER AND WILL BE DECIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN DUE COURSE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE THREE STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS.
'U.S. OFFICIALS HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO INSPECT FACTORIES'
*****
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAD NO AUTHORITY UNDER HONG KONG LAW TO ENTER ANY FACTORY OR OFFICE IN HONG KONG WITHOUT ITS OWNER'S PERMISSION OR TO DEMAND TO INSPECT ITS DOCUMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
+ THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT A MEMBER OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE HAS RECENTLY VISITED SOME HONG KONG FACTORIES, BY APPOINTMENT, REQUESTING TO SEE DOCUMENTS AND PRODUCTION RECORDS RELATING TO CERTAIN APPAREL CONSIGNMENTS FOR THE U.S.A., MR HO SAID.
+MANAGEMENTS ARE NOT OBLIGED TO RECEIVE SUCH VISITORS OR TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AGAINST THEIR WILL.
+HOWEVER, IN THE CASES WHICH HAVE COME TO NOTICE THE MANAGEMENTS CONCERNED WILLINGLY RECEIVED THE VISITORS AND VOLUNTAR ILY PROVIDED THE INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION SOUGHT,+