XN000022-1981-05-19 — Page 2

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1981

APRIL LABOUR VIOLATIONS COST $720 000

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OF THE 670 PROSECUTIONS TAKEN OUT IN APRIL THIS YEAR BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, 653 CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTION WITH FINES TOTALLING MORE THAN $720 000.

MOST OF THE CASES CONCERNED BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.

THREE HUNDRED AND FOUR CASES WERE FOR VIOLATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS, RESULTING IN FINES TOTALLING $497 000. THESE INCLUDED 122 CASES FOR BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WITH FINES TOTALLING $285 860.

OFFENCES IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 288 CASES, WITH $174 225 IN FINES.

OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, 16 CASES RELATED TO FAILURE TO KEEP EMPLOYEE RECORDS, LEADING TO $13 150 IN FINES,

DORWARD OPENS PRODUCT DESIGN SEMINAR

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THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD, TODAY (TUESDAY) STRESSED THE NEED FOR TALENTED ASIAN DESIGNERS TO USE AND ADAPT THEIR HERITAGE,

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASIAN SEMINAR ON PRODUCT DESIGN, MR DORWARD ASKED WHETHER WE HAD DONE ENOUGH TO CAPITALISE ON THE COLOUR AND EXCITEMENT AND STIMULATION THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VISUAL ARTS OF ASIA.

+DO WE GIVE OUR DESIGNERS ENOUGH CHANCE TO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THAT SOURCE, AND BLEND IT WITH MODERN SKILLS TO PROJECT THE KIND OF IMAGINATIVE AND FANCIFUL IMAGE WHICH WOULD STIMULATE THE SALE OF OUR GOODS IN THE MAJOR MARKETS OF THE WEST?+ HE QUESTIONED.

OUTSIDE OF WHAT COULD BE CALLED TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS, INDUSTRIES IN MANY PARTS OF ASIA - CERTAINLY IN HONG KONG SELL PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY RATHER THAN PRODUCTS.

+HOW DESIRABLE AND HOW REALISTIC IS IT TO TRY TO WEAN THEM AWAY FROM MAKING MAINLY TO THE IR BUYERS' DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEND MONEY ON DEVELOPING AND MARKETING THE IR OWN?+ HE ASKED.

/PROVIDING HIS