CONFIDENTIAL
January, 1963
April, 1963
June, 1963
July, 1963
of labour legislation must be severely modified so long as this anxiety persisted, He was willing for the Commissioner of Labour to resume discussions with employers' representatives although he was doubtful of any progress being made.
Mr. Gibbs visited Hong Kong and reported that there remained strong opposition from industry to any further reduction in hours of work of women at the present time on the grounds that this would lead to higher wages. In view of market uncertainties the need to avoid nigher labour coats is supported by Government. Mr. Gibbs nevertheless considered there was a case for eliminating immediately overtime in excess of 60 hours a week and for considering a reduction to 54 hours
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a week as a means of widening employment opportunities as the labour. market expanded with the population bulge. In reply to Mr. Gibba' statement to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries that it was difficult in London to defend Hong Kong's long hours of work when other Asian countries such as India, Pakistan and Japan had imposed a statutory maximum of 48 hours a week for both male and female workers, the assertion was made that this limit was widely disregarded in the countrica concerned. Colonial Office has asked the Ministry of Labour to get an up to date assessment from Labour Attaches.
Parliamentary interest in the question of hours of work of women and young persons in Hong Kong was revived in debate.
Mr. Abba' report was conveyed to the Governor of Hong Kong who was asked to forward an appreciation of the present position and statement of plans for future action.
The Governor's interim reply to the comments made in Colonial Office savingram forwarding Mr. Gibbs' report commented in regard to hours of work of women and young persons in industry as follows:-
"The point has repeatedly been made to employers, and will continue to be made, that not only is it not in Hong Kong's interest that they should reaist a reduction in working hours for women and young children, but that their resistance provides Governments overseas with an excuse to discriminate against Hong Kong's industries on the grounds that it can be clearly demonstrated that hours of work here exceed internationally accepted standards, In spite of the Commissioner of Labour's efforts, resistance continues. After Mr. Gibbs' departure, the Commissioner again pursued this matter with various organi- sations whose members employ large numbers of women, suggesting that it would be advantageous for them to change over from one ten-hour shift to two eight hour shifts and that Government might possibly help in the matter of training industrial workers. All replied objecting to the reduction of hours for women stating thats-
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(a) this would result in increased cost of production; (b) two 8-hour shifts were impracticable;
(c) women workers would not welcome a reduction in hours.
Two expressed interest in the possibility of a training scheme being started, while the Federation of Hong Kong Industries also claimed that the time was not ripe for such a reduction, that the changes being attempted in working conditions were too rapid, that quality would suffer, that the fluctuating market requires greater latitude in working hours, etc. etc. Although there are arguments to meet most of these points, it will be a long struggle to convince employers of the need for and wisdom of a reduction in hours. Unfortunately, it is not possible to press these argu- ments too strongly at present because once again industry is in the grip of difficulties over which it has no control as one consequence of the water shortage, which compels factories to adjust their hours of work and gives rise to many other
other problems for them which require expense and Ingenuity to overcome. things return to normal, however, it may be possible to conter; further discussion."
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