TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 204

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Mr. Godden

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Hong Kong: Nightwork for Women

Problem

In his Saving Despatch No. 1142 the Governor of Hong Kong

43) has asked for agreement that his Commissioner of Labour can

Pew

use his powers under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings

Ordinance to grant further selective exemptions to specified

industrial establishments from the regulation prohibiting the

employment of women at night. He indicated in discussions

here on the 24th November that he wishes to initiate consultat-

ions for the purpose of deciding the conditions under which

exemptions will be granted. The sort of undertakings which

would then be considered for such exemptions would be capital

intensive and such as rely on the dexterity of women for the

manufacture of their products. No undertaking would be exempted

which did not offer reasonable and safe working conditions.

Recommendation.

2. I recommend that approval (already conditionally given)

should be confirmed and that the Governor should be authorised

to hold consultations for the purpose of deciding the conditions

under which exemptions will be granted. A draft Saving Despatch

is attached. The Overseas Labour Adviser concurs in this

submission.

Background and Argument

3. Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance

the employment of women between the hours of 8.00 p.m. (or

9.00 p.m. where overtime has been worked) and 6.00 a.m. is

1