Text of Statement by Mr. R. M. Betherizato. Commissioner of Labour. Hong Kong, issued to the Fress on Tuesday, February 24th. 1970.
"The conditions in some of the larger factories in Hong Kong are comparable with similar factories elsewhere in the world. While some of the smaller factories do not match up to these high standards, they are all required to comply with the provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings úrdinance, which is based on the United Kingdom Factory Acts. All factories are inspected periodically by officers of the Factory Inspectorate.
"The earnings of industrial workers have increased over the past ten years or so by two and a half times and are now probably higher than anywhere else in the Far East, except Japan. Moreover, during this period the cost of living has increased at a substantially slower rate, with the result that real wages have risen steadily.
"The employment in industry of children under the of 14 years is prohibited, and this prohibition is strictly enforced on a continuing basis and by periodical special exercises. No report of a child aged 12 years working regularly for 14 hours a day has been substantiated.
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"Trade union members are able to express their views on local conditions through their membership or the Labour Advisory Board, which is consulted by the Commissioner of labour on legislation and other matters.
"The selective scheme to permit the employment of women at night is for a trial period and is subject to
This scheme considerable general and specific safeguards. will not become effective until March, 1970, whereas in the nited Kingdom areement to permit women to work at night in the motor industry was reached in November last year. Night work for women has long been permitted in the United States of America. It is also allowed, in varying circumstances, in Canada, Australia,
in Canada, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and many other countries.
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