TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 205

FLAG B

5 bre

prohibited.

However, the Ordinance provides that the

A few

Commissioner of Labour, in such cases as he shall think

fit and subject to such conditions as he may specify, may

grant exemptions to any industrial undertaking.

exemptions have been granted in the past, but only to

women working as supervisors (less than 0.18% of the

total work force of 239,462 women being involved).

Although strictly speaking these powers can be exercised

without reference to us, it has been the practice not to

use them except after consultation and agreement with us.

4. During his visit to Hong Kong in June Lord Shepherd

held discussions with unofficial members of Executive and

Legislative Councils (UMELCO) at which this subject was

raised. A record of the discussion is attached. The

suggestion was made that the Commissioner of Labour should

be free to use his discretionary powers on a wider basis

and without reference to us; Lord Shepherd replied that he

personally saw no objection in principle provided that the

nightwork was voluntary and there were proper safeguards.

He thought however that others might regard it as a retro-

gressive step and that it was therefore necessary to look

at the proposal in the light of labour legislation generally.

He would like to see the use by the Commissioner of Labour of

these powers of exemption offset by the introduction of four

statutory rest days a month for men.

5. This specific condition is well on the way to fulfilment.

Legislation has been drafted which will not only permit male

adults in industry to take four rest days in the month if

2 -