11.
CONFIDENTIAL
July 1961
September, 1961
October, 1961
December, 1961
January, 1962
March, 1962
April, 1962
October, 1962
Colonial Office had deferred criticism of Governor's latest proposal to take account of existing textile crisis but further letter from Governor on 18th July gave detailed comments on difficulties of enforcement of sick leave provisions and reported that Executive Council's final advice had been that original draft Bill should be amended to provide a lower sick leave entitlement and that Bill was
Governor being revised on these lines before submission to L.A.B. also confirmed serious setback in timetable and announced new target of 1st January 1962 for Bill to come into operation. Cotton textiles problem advanced as reason for delay and failure to adhere to original proposals excused as presenting impossible task to public medical Services; and inability of industry to afford even revised benefits in the face of future uncertainty. He expressed the hope that it would be possible to improve the various benefits later on.
Secretary of State asked for confirmation that further reduction in maximum hours of work of women and young persons from 10 to 9 a day had been considered by Labour Advisory Board and that amending regula- tions would come into operation on 1st January 1962.
Governor reported employers' comments on revised draft Industrial Employment Bill less unfavourable than hitherto and that it was proposed to concede increase in qualifying period for paid holidaya and sick leave from 156 to 180 days. Expressed view that first reading in Legislative Council would be mid-November but that date of operation might have to be deferred. Governor asked for an assurance that in view of local industrialists anxiety about colony's economic future, Government should not be pressed to make further advances for the time baing.
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Governor suggested most appropriate(for Bill to come into operation would be 1st March 1962.
Mr. Wallace (Colonial Office) asked to press for information on outstanding labour legislation, with particular reference to the implementation of the next stage in the reduction of maximum houre of work of women and young persons o
Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness Allowance) Ordinance came into force.
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Mr. Wallace reported that in discussions in Hong Kong he had been informed that the proposed reduction of hours to 54 per week had met with opposition in the Labour Advisory Board. Mr. Wallace asked that "report should be rade to the Secretary of State. Wallace was also informed that with regard to the main Employment Bill the local view was that the reduction in hours for women and children should be achieved before this was proceeded with. In general discussion on Hong Kong Labour problems with unofficial members of Ex. Co. and Leg. Co., resentment was expressed at H.M.Q's continued pressure on Hong Kong about labour legislation, the argument doing that Hồng Kong was being pressed to introduce legislation which would put it at a dis-
dvantage vis-a-vis Japan who although signatory to I.1.0. Conventions did not strictly enforce them. The (then) probable entry of the U.K. into the European Common Market was advanced as another reason why the U.K. Government should refrain from further pressure on Hong Kong.
Colonial Office reminded Hong Kong Government of its expressed intention to reduce maximum hours of work of women in industry to 54 a week in 1962 and that in September 1961 the Hong Kong Government had said that a 54-hour week would “be fully affective"from the 1st July 1962. A revival of interest in working conditions in Hong Kong Tarising possibly in the context of the Common Market negotiations) was envisaged and the Hong Kong Government was pressed, to give reasone for its long delay in carrying through this reform.
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In reply the Governor maintained that American restrictions were an additional reason for the employers' opposition to a further reduction and reiterated the view that as the Common Market remained a sérlaus threat to Hong Kong's economy, positive advances in the field
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CONFIDENTIAL
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