TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 155

Thursday, February 19,1970.

The scheme would be operated for a trial period between March 1,

1970 and June 30, 1971.

The Commissioner intends to review the position in about a year's time to decide, well in advance, whether or not to extend the

scheme beyond June 30, 1971.

To facilitate enforcement of general conditions to be attached to exemptions, which would be carried out by night visits by the labour inspectorate, the Commissioner proposes to consider, initially, applications from larger firms employing on all shifts 500 or more workers, both male

and female.

Imposing Certain Conditions

Records available at the end of 1969, show that 117 firms would be eligible. These cover nearly all branches of the textile industry, the plastics industry, the electronics industry, a miscellaneous

selection of other industries.

The Commissioner of Labour proposes to impose certain general conditions on all exemptions for the sole purpose of protecting the health and welfare of adult women working at night.

These include voluntary agreement in writing to be employed at night, monthly rotation of shifts, a'minimum working force of 100 women, first-line supervision of women by women, restrictions on the employment of pregnant women, limitation of the period of employment to eight hours, and suitable arrangements for canteens, rest rooms, and

sitting facilities.

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/In addition