TNAG-0089-FCO40-125-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 142

Mr. A.W. Gaminara (CO)

Reference......

Hours of Work - Hong Kong

I am sending you with this minute a copy of a telegram dated 16 August, 1958 which brings out clearly our understanding that the move to a 60-hour week in 1958 was only accepted by Ministers on the understanding that this was merely a first step towards better working conditions. On the previous day our telegram No. 718, copy also attached, once again emphasised that these measures were clearly understood to be, and publicly presented as, the first stage in a determined effort to raise the minimum standards of industrial employment "to which the Hong Kong Government will now pledge itself".

2.

You may further like to note that although pressure of the strongest kind was put on to the Hong Kong Government in June, 1958 the regulations did not go before the Legislative Council before 5 November. In presenting the regulations to the Hong Kong Legislative Council on that day, Mr. P.C.M. Sedgwick said that "the new Regulations will not bring hours of work for women and young persons in Hong Kong completely into line with internationally accepted standards and, as I have already suggest positive advances will have to be made in due course". (The full text is at (47) on SSB 117/51/01.)

Code 18-75

(G. Fogg on)

20 April, 1967

c.c. Mr. Godden (Private Office)