1
La.
Mr. James Johnson (Kingston-upon-Hull, West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he is aware of the exploitation of child labour in Hong Kong, particularly the child slavery in the Colony's tea houses; and what action he is proposing following the recent labour department survey.
18th December 1969
There is no slavery in Hong Kong; it is of course illegal.
As a result
There was in August a special campaign against the unlawful
employment in industry of children under fourteen. prosecutions were mounted against the proprietors of 298 undertakings. Law enforcement measures will continue to be vigorously pursued.
The Hong Kong Government shares my concern that there should be
But it is difficult to devise and
no exploitation of child labour.
enforce measures of control outside industry, for example in family
businesses and among those engaged in itinerant trading.
I am aware
of the tradition of employing young persons in Chinese tea houses to carry round trays of delicacies. There are regular twice yearly
This is a problem that surveys of employees in such establishments.
is gradually diminishing with general changer in social habits,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.