XN000022-1980-07-12 — Page 2

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SATURDAY, JUI ▾ 12

1980

EMPLOYMENT AGE RAISED FROM SEPTEMBER

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THE MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG IS TO BE RAISED FROM 14 TO 15 FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1980.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE ADJUSTMENT IS PROVIDED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE 1979 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION LAST YEAR.

NOTICE OF THE ADJUSTMENT WAS GIVEN ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN THE PROHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 14 IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR WAS EXTENDED TO THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.

THE PROHIBITION EXTENSION AND THE RAISING OF THE MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT WERE AIMED AT ASSISTING THE ENFORCEMENT OF COMPULSORY JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION,

+WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, THOSE UNDER 15 ARE PROHIBITED FROM TAKING ANY EMPLOYMENT.

+IN RECRUITING STAFF, EMPLOYERS SHOULD CHECK THE AGES OF THE JOB-SEEKERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL HAVE REACHED 15 YEARS OF AGE BY SEPTEMBER 1.

+EMPLOYERS VIOLATING THIS PROHIBITION ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE BETWEEN 13 AND 14 MAY, WITH THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS, AND UPON THE PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE, ENGAGE IN PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT IN ONLY THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS AIMED AT PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH AND MORALS.

SIR JACK ACTING GOVERNOR

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THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE LEFT FOR THE UK THIS EVENING FOR FOUR WEEKS' VACATION.

DURING SIR MURRAY'S ABSENCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, WILL BE ACTING GOVERNOR.

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