CO129-591-9 Policy directives 15-1-1945 - 15-1-1945 — Page 32

SECRET

HONG KONG

CIVIL AFFAIRS POLICY DIRECTIVES

LABOUR POLICY

32

I.

A Labour Department should be established at the earliest possible stage to deal with all labour matters and especially the organisation and conditions of labour required for military purposes and for essential civil needs,

II.

The Department should be under the direction of a Controller of Labour who should be assisted by an Advisory Committee representative of employers and workers.

III.

He should work in close consultation with the Immigration authorities to ensure that the flow of immigrant labour is regulated with regard to the local conditions.

IV.

(1) Legislation relating to the following matters should

be strictly enforced:

(a) Factories and workshops, in particular the provisions rolating to the employment of women and young persons:

(b) International labour conventions which have been applied to Hong Kong.

(2) Legislation relating to the following matters should

be introduced as soon as practicable:

(a)

(b)

Workmen's Compensation;

Rights of employers and employed to associate for all lawful purposes:

(c) Machinery for settling collective disputes between employers and employed;

(a) Fixing of minimum wages wherever practicable.

Colonial Office,

8th October, 1945.