TNAG-0125-FCO40-161-Labour-force-working-conditions-1969 — Page 34

DRAFT ANSWER TO PO by Mr.

There is no slavery in Hong Kong. But

I am aware of the tradition

declining

with the general change in social habits, and

as better employment opportunities are

offered elsewhere of employing young

persons in Chinese tea houses.

I know of no recent labour Department

survey, except that as a matter of routine

there is a twice-yearly survey of the

survey

employees of tea houses. There was in August

^

a special campaign mounted against the

unlawful employment in industry of children

under 14. As a result, prosecutions against

the proprietors of 293 undertakings were

mcunted, and law enforcement measures will

continue to be vigorously pursued.

The Hong Kong Government shares my own

concern that there should be control over the

employment of children. But effective

control is by no means easy at a time of much

business activity and, often in family

businesses, especially hawker families.