TNAG-0089-FCO40-125-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 11

THINGS TO BE DONE IN THE LABOUR FIELD IN HONG KONG

13

LEGISLATION

1.

2.

Improvement in the Provisions restricting Hours of Work of Women and Young Persons in Industrial Undertakings

(1) A forty-eight-hour week to be the standard

to be allowed as in (4);

3.

(2) To be applied industry by industry;

some overtime

(3) For industries not yet conforming, a maximum of twelve hours

per week overtime would be permitted for a period not exceeding six months before full enforcement of the regulations (present regulations allow a sixty-hour week plus overtime);

(4) Thereafter overtime to be limited to six hours per week, in not

more than twenty-six weeks of the year, up to a total of one hundred per annum;

(5) The above would require no amendment to the law, only to sub-

sidiary legislation.

Wages

N

(1) Power to be given to the Governor to fix minimum wages in any

industry, trade, employment, occupation, etc. after consultation with a committee (? advisory) comprised of representatives of employers and workers in the industry;

enhanced

(2) The power given would include specifically that of fixing

absolute minimum wages; normal working hours per day and/or per week; minimum wages for different categories; rates of pay for work on the weekly day of rest or public holidays; overtime rates; pay, during sick-leave; ? maternity

pay.

(3) Also some steps to be taken towards the implementation of I.L.0.

Convention 95 (Protection of Wages);

(4) Fair wages clause in Government contracts;

power given to

(5) The above would require new legislation, but it is not suggested

that a full wages council system is necessary the Governor, with an advisory committee, would make it possible to take quick action in suitable cases.

(Note:

Job contractors (see also Part B below) present special difficulties.

Inspection and enforcement

(a) Establishments Subject to the Law

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES NA 43

20JUR/90/

HWA 18/6

(1) Scope of factories and industrial undertakings Ordinance to be extended. There was a welcome extension in 1963, but there are still many industrial undertakings not covered by the law.

(2) This would require an 'amendment to the law.

(b)