TNAG-0120-FCO40-156-Lord-Shepherd-s-visit-1969 — Page 121

CONFIDENTIAL

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the consideration of his Department until a few days ago. Departmental view of this difficult piece of legislation will be submitted to the Minister on his return.

For

5. The Minister will probably be disappointed to learn that the Factories and Industrial undertakings (rest days) regula- tions permitting male adults to take one rest day in every

He may seven if they so wish is still under examination. wish to enquire about the progress of this legislation. women and young persons, of course, the phased reduction of their working week to a statutory maximum of forty-eight hours is in its second year with the working week now reduced from the sixty hours with which the programme began to 54 hours. The conditions of employment of young persons in the hotel and restaurant trades are also being examined.

6.

Another major Bill in first draft is the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Bill, the main features of which are:-

(a) to extend the benefits of compensation to non-manual

workers (manual workers are already covered regardless of wages earned);

(b) to include dome stic servants who are now excluded; (c) to prescribe additional compensation for permanent

total incapacity requiring the constant help of another person;

(d) to increase periodical payments to a rate of two-

thirds instead of one half of former monthly earnings, in accordance with ILO recommendations and established

practice elsewhere;

(e) to require compulsory insurance by employers in selected

dangerous trades.

7. Work continues on drafting another substantial item of legislation, the Industrial Relations Bill to provide the machinery for the settlement of disputes not amenable to voluntary conciliation.

Hong Kong Dept. 29 May, 1969.

CONFIDENTIAL