TNAG-0088-FCO40-124-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 101

Fédération Internationale des Travailleurs des Industries

du Textile et de l'Habillement

PRESIDENT:

JO

E. NEWTON

Plean remind Sept that

like

Mo Haw

wana

Internationale Textil- und Bekleidungsarbeiter-Vereinigung

Internationella Textil- och Beklädnadsarbetarefederationen

INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE AND

GARMENT WORKERS' FEDERATION

VICE-PRESIDENT:

K. BUSCHMANN

Mrs. Judith Hart, M.P.,

Minister of State, Commonwealth Office, Great Smith Street,

London. S.W.1.

120 BAKER STREET, LONDON, W.1

GENERAL SECRETARY: J. GREENHALGH to whom all communications should be addressed

TELEPHONE:

WELBECK 1745

TELEGRAM ADDRESS:

WORKINTEX, London, W.1 March 22nd 1967.

A

Dear Minister,

May I respectfully draw your attention to the fact, that during the interview which you so kindly granted to Mr. James Johnson M.P., Mr. Ernest Thornton, M.P. and myself on February 16th of this year, you indicated that new labour legislation would be enacted in Hong Kong in two weeks time,

I was very surprised therefore, to read in Hansard for March 21st, on page 1432, that Mr. Bowden, replying to a question relating to the hours of work

for women and young persons in Hong Kong said, "At the moment this is a matter for consultation between the Governor, the Legislative Council and industry in Hong Kong".

As your predecessor, Mr. Fred Lee, assured me on June 21st 1966

that "I expect that new labour legislation will be introduced into the colony during this summer", I feel that I and the other members of the delegation are entitled to

an explanation.

It is just no use being naive about the situation in Hong Kong. If the question of working hours for women and young persons remains a matter for consultation, then there is no hope of any improvement.

RECEIVED

PRIVATE OFFICE 2 MAR 1967

LAST

39

Yours sincerely,

Treenhalg

J. GREENHALGH

General Secretary.