TNAG-0129-FCO40-165-Labour-legislation-1970 — Page 5

CONFIDENTIAL

Item 8 21

Labour Legislation

The Governor said that, although he was unable to report as much progress with new labour legislation as he or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office would like, progress was nevertheless being made. He instanced the Bill to enlarge the scope and benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance (now enacted) and the amendment to the Employment Ordinance enabling workers to take four voluntary rest days a month which was expected to come forward in the present session of the Legislative Council. The Governor hoped that in the light of progress with the latter measure, it would be possible to agree to the grant of selective exemptions under the Factories and Industrial Under- taking Ordinance for the employment of adult women on night work for which employers were continually pressing.

2. The Overseas Labour Adviser commented on the length of time taken up by consultations with employers over new labour legislation. The Workman's Compensation Bill which was relatively uncontroversial had been on the stocks two years, for example. He welcomed the introduction of rest days legislation but thought that night work for women should not be introduced without improved inspection of factory conditions in the industries concerned and under conditions laid down by the Department of Labour including, arrangements for the rotation

Fairchilds, of shifts so that permanent night work was avoided. for example, were proposing a permanent night shift. Governor agreed that this was unreasonable but thought that Fairchilds could be induced to modify their views. change of policy would of course need to be submitted to

Ministers.

The

This major

3. After discussion about the weakness (in relation to the magnitude of the task they had to perform) of the Factory Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department the Governor agreed to a suggestion that an experienced specialist from the Department of Employment and Productivity might visit the Colony to survey the position.

CONFIDENTIAL