TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 128

Hongkong factories

'inhumane'

-London claim

The

i

he

The Hongkong Government came under attack in London yesterday for allowing “inhumane" working conditions in the Colony's factories.

Federation is calling about these conditions,” Mr John Greenalgh, Gen- eral Secretary of the Interna- on 57 affiliated unions in 36 added,

pressure tional Texles and Garment countries to bring Workers' Federation, sald he on their goveruments to ban would give details of poor imports from Hongkong un- factory working conditions less the Coltry imposes more at talks he hoped to have humane week colitiong, with British Government representatives,

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO.51

Replied Mr Hetherington: "The earnings of industrial workers have increased over the past ten years or so by *19 (imes and are now probably higher than any- where else in the Far East except Japan.

But In Iongkong last night the Commissioner of Labour, the Ion II. M. fletherington, refuted allegations made by including Mr Greenaigh

"Moreover, during this one that 12-year-olds have period the cost of living has worked up to 14 hours a day increased at a substantially in some. “backyard” factories, slower rate with the result that real wages have risen steadily."

"The conditions in some of the larger factories in Hong- kong are comparable with similar factories elsewhere in the world," said Mr Hether- ington.

Night work

em-

On the subject of night work for women, Mr Hether- "The selective "While some of the smaller scheme to permit the

ington said: factories do not match up to ployment of women at night these high standards, they are is for a trial period and sub- all required to comply with ject to considerable general the provisions of the Fac-

tories and Industrial Under- and specifle safeguards,” takings Ordinance which is The scheme would not be- based on United Kingdom factory acts."

Inspection

All factories were inspect- !ed periodically.

The Commissioner said the employment of children under the age of 14 was pro- hibited and the prohibition was strictly enforced.

"No report of a child aged 12 years working regularly for 14 hours a day has been substantiated," he said.

come effective until next month although in Britain agreement to permit women to work at night was reached last November.

"Night work for women has long been permitted in the United States," he said. "It is also allowed, in varying cir- cumstances, in Canada, Aus- tralia, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and many other countries."

The Commissioner said that trade union members were able to express their Other complaints made in views on local conditions Loudon by Mr Greenalgh in- through their membership of cluded low pay in Hongkong the Labour Advisory Board factories and the recent which he consulted on legisla- decision of the Commissioner tion and other matters, to allow, on a trial basis, the

employment of women at Asked if Hongkong would night.

ask to be represented if Mc Greenaigh has talks with "Hongkong workers have British Government represen- no effective trade union tativeg, a spokesman for the movement, they have no say Colonial Secretariat said: in the Government and they "At this stage this is a have no way of protesting hypothetical question."

South China Morning Post. February 25th 1970.