TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 135

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I bay 6/3

m. The

United Textile Factory Workers' Association

SECRETARY

J. MILHENCH

TELEPHONE: MAIN (OLDHAM) 4439

Our Ref.

JM/MP

Your Ref...

Weavers Office,

Bartlam Place,

Oldham

Lancs.

이후.

Hary Kay

9/3

4th March 1970

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Shepherd,

Minister of State,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, LONDON SW 1.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51

101

My Dear Lord Shepherd,

re: Hong Kong

ник

5

It is with some concern that we hear of the decision of the Commission of Labour in Hong Kong to extend hours of permissive

This is a work for women over the age of eighteen to work nights. most retrograde step and contrary to International Labour Convention decisions which have been ratified by a great many of its constituent

members.

Whilst it may be said that strictly controlled conditions will be applied during the twelve-month trial period we believe that with the large number of small units operating in Hong Kong it will be impossible to police it. Many of the women likely to be affected by this are illiterate and require legislation to protect them from unscrupulous employers who are only concerned with personal gain and have no regard for moral reasoning.

For this to be authorised by a Labour Government makes it a far more bitter pill to swallow and the international reaction from many of our overseas colleagues has been instantaneous reaction against it. On behalf of the Legislative Council of my organisation we fully endorse the action taken by the secretary of the International Textile and Garment Workers' Federation who has, I understand, registered his protestation to you and no doubt it will be considered as a priority item at the next convention in Geneva and will most A great amount of certainly place the UK delegates in bad light.

(contd)

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