TNAG-0129-FCO40-165-Labour-legislation-1970 — Page 8

The Grovemar, uppeed that this was unersonall but thought that I circled, could be induced to madaly their win

1 Fourchilds, for beample, were preparing

that permanent nig work was avoided. This igeue

Fwould & comme

Swould need to be submitted to Ministers.

change of pakiy tiz

3.

i foue

After discussion about the weakness (in relation

to the magnitude of the task they had to perform) of

Factory

pesemissions might

slife.

apperabit from tho

Depry Empleymt ind breductantly

the Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department the

am expeienced Governor agreed to a suggestion that an expert from

the UK might visit the Colony to survey the position.

He shared the doubts of the Labour Adviser whether

there was the necessary technical expertise in Hong

Kong to combat the dangers of exposure to high lead

content in the atmosphere in factories making electro-

nic equipment. It was agreed that an advisory visit

of this nature would be considered urgently.

Dispu-

He

4. The Governor spoke about labour courts, a proposed

/a innovation in which he was keenly interested.

tants in these courts would not be legally represented

so that no costs would fall on the parties, and pro-

vided the courts confined themselves to specific

claims as opposed to generalised labour complaints, he

was convinced they would serve a useful purpose.

ed indicated that much detail thinking remained to be

done before legislation could be brought forward.

5. In connection with the continuing necessity to

-keep legislation in labour matters under review the

Governor was asked whether he intended to try to

retain the services of Mr. Goodwin. He agreed to

consider whether any attractive offer could be made

such as might persuade Mr. Goodwin to accept a further

period of service in Hong Kong; his impression had

been that Mr. Goodwin was not looking for further

employment in Hong Kong. The Overseas Labour Adviser

thought that in accepting an appointment in the ODM,

/ Mr.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Page

Page

W(B)L 51-7406

the

witch to seventy of tenure the

in some mossel

oncer

sepresented

Mr. Goodwin was primar y concerned to ensure

and

continuing employment for himself and that if

Government 8/ want

Hong Kong,wanted to retain his services it

might be possible for the ODM to make him

available, this would have to the considered in

my offer made 16.

to hum

The Governor said that he had given some

thought to the appointment of a Chinese

Administrative Officer (Mr. F. K. Li) as the

next Commissioner of Labour. His own prefer-

ence would be to professionalise the Department

so that the Administrative Officers at present

serving in it could then be released.

Unfortunately the Department lacked professional

officers of the requisite calibre. He felt that

this was a step that might now be taken pro-

vided he had professional candidates who com-

bined the necessary awareness and understanding

of the political considerations.

Muz

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

age 9

age 9

CYPHER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 932

Laban kegestation надевают

TO SINGAPORE H.C,

25 NOVEMBER 1969

(OLA)

20

CONFIDENTIAL.

FOLLOWING FOR ALLEN FROM FOGGON.

REFERENCE YOUR LETTER 5/31 OF 24 JULY.

I AM INFORMED THAT FOLLOWING ELECTRONIC FIRMS HAVE BEEN GRANTED

PERMISSION TO EMPLOY WOMEN AT NIGHT IN SINGAPORE:

(A) NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED

(B) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS LIMITED.

ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FAIRCHILD SINGAPORE HAVE APPLIED FOR PERMISSION.

IF THIS IS CORRECT GRATEFUL TO KNOW BY TELEGRAM, NUMBER OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES AFFECTED, AND FOR COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO FOLLOW. ALSO ANY CONDITIONS ADDITIONAL TO THOSE REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH 7 OF YOUR LETTER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED BY MINISTRY OF LABOUR. IS THERE, FOR EXAMPLE, ANY SPECIAL INSPECTION OF FACTORY ARRANGEMENTS AND - REQUIREMENTS ABOUT CANTEEN FACILITIES, ETC.?

2. GRATEFUL URGENT REPLY. POLICY IN HONG KONG UNDER REVIEW, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT REPEAT NOT BE DISCLOSED LOCALLY.

STEWART

*

FILES:

O.L.A.

HONG KONG DEPT

MR. WILFORD

&&&&

CONFIDENTIAL

COPY TO:

MISS RYLANDS, DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT

& PRODUCTIVITY