CO129-615-1 Labour Department- future development 13-6-1946 - 11-11-1947 — Page 78

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Comments on recommendation made by Miss 3. Hinder for the future development of Labour Administration in Hong Kong, dated 15.2.46.

General

1.

Establishment of a separate Labour Depart- ment and change of title.

Staffing of

Labour Department a)Senior Officer.

2.

3.

4.

I had the opportunity of meeting Miss Hinder when she visited Hong Kong and of discussing labour problems with her. In general the recommendations under consideration reflect the substantial agreement attained by us as a result of these discussions and such modifications as I may now suggest will be concerned mainly with points of detail.

I fully agree that the time has come for the Labour Department to "bud off" from the 5.C.A.and to be established as a separate department under the control of a senior officer and I consider that, in the circumstances, the title of the head of department should be changed fron Labour Officer to Commissioner of Labour, which is in line with the practice in other Colonies.

I am of the opinion, however, that the department should continue a close liaison with the 5.0.2. and I recommend that the Labour Department Offices should be established in the same building as the 3.0.A.

Miss Hinder points out that there is considerable labour legislation which will have to be engotod in the near future. In particular Trade Union Registration and Workman's Compensation Ordinances are badly needed. The drafting of these Ordinances will entail a considerable amount of preparatory work and their administration (especially Workmen's Compensation) will throw a great deal of new work of a most responsible nature on to the shoulders of the Head of the Department. Furthermore, until proper machinery for joint negotiations between employers and workers has been firmly established it will be necessary for officers of the labour department to do a lot of work in connexion with industrial disputes, not merely as conciliation officers (conciliation wosk will of course be a continuing function of the department) but as adviser to both sides, go-betweens, and impartial chairmen of the early meetings of representatives,so as to ensure that negotiations are properly conducted and confidence in this method of settling disputes is firmly implɛnted, Ultimately it is to be hoped that the services of the Labour Department will only be required when all the usual forms of joint negotiation have failed and a deadlock has been reiolod but for some considerable time to come the assistance of the department will be sought by both sides "ab initio” and in the case of the more important industries it will be desirable that this assistance should be given by the C. of L. personally or by an officer of almost equal status and experience.

I am of the opinion also that it is of the greatest importance to secure continuity of policy in the Labour Department and that it is most desirable that the officer who acts as head of department during the absence of the substantive holder should be a man

with