CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 106

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quite happy earning two dollars a day with a large urn of tea in the corner of the room and freedom to gossip, nd it is doubtful whether the work they were producing was worth any more because the same output could have been achieved by one machine operated by two women. prietor explained that in about a year's time he expected

The pro- to be able to move the factory into modern promises. On the other hand, in the most up to date factories girls were earning seven dollars a day on the spinning machines and as much as 8 or 9 dollars a day minding sixteen au- tomatic weaving machines. The lowest wage rate encounter- ed was one dollar twenty cents a day for finishing work on 400 small electric bulbs.

372. To effect too rapid a change in present employ- ment practices would, I am sure, do more harm than good. Adequate minimum wages enforced by law, at this juncture, would merely have the effect of causing widespread un- employment and serious destitution for the relief of which there would be no adequate provision.

573.

That drastic changes and improvements are neces- Dary is obvious, but the process must be steady and pro- gressive otherwise unnecessary hardship is likely to be in:licted and many workers who would not easily be con- vinced that the taking away of their livelihood was essen- tinl to the ultimate establishment of reasonable living standards for the working community.

374. follow.

Some brief notes on the principal industries

(1) THE WELVING INDUSTRY

375. The difficult economic conditions prevailing in this industry and the large reservoir of labour which exists has obviously enabled some employers to impose terms and conditions of employment which considerable numbers of workers are prepared to accept rather than risk unemployment. On the other hand the larger and most modern undertakings are observing excellent standards.

376.

There are two workers' trade unions, viz. the Hong Kong Spinning and Weaving Workers' General Union and the Kowloon Female Knitters' Association, one of which is all embracing and membership of the other is confined ox- clusively to women operatives. They are affiliated to rival federations. The employers' organisation is the Hong Kong Cotton Weaving Manufacturers' Association.

377. Both the workers' organisations are looked upon with some disfavour by the majority of employers in the industry and the workers are said to be in some fear of dismissal if they openly represent their organisation in negotiations. They even regard open negotiation with the managements of other factories with some apprehension.

378. It is clear that wage rates and conditions of em- ployment vary appreciably. The weavers, combers and bobbin winders are all employed on piece-work rates and the varia- tion in carnings suggests that differences are not entiro- ly due to degrees of efficiency or dexterity although the volume of work available has some effect on earnings.

579. In many instances the provision of food forms part of the wage rate and nothing short of a detailed survey of the industry as a whole will reveal the true