TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 206

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Be

they wish but will extend the same benefit to all those in

continuous employment who come within the scope of the

Employment Ordinance. The measure is expected to come

forward in the present session of Legislative Council and to

be enacted before the end of the year. In Saving Despatch

No. 1142 it is implied that the Minister's agreement was

dependent upon progress on three other aspects of labour

legislation. The record of his discussions does not, however,

bear this out. Nevertheless, it is reported that in the case

of one of these items legislation has been drafted which is to

come forward later in the present session of the Legislative

Council. Difficulties and doubts about the other two items

are set out at some length in the despatch; when the Overseas

Labour Adviser has considered these, our views on these items

will be conveyed to Hong Kong.

6. The Overseas Labour Adviser has given his view that

sufficient progress has been made in labour legislation to

warrant a measure of relaxation of the existing prohibition

of nightwork for women. He considers, however, that it will

be necessary to insist on the following safeguards:

(a)

The whole organisation of factory inspection

should be overhauled and improved (although

This

it would be sufficient if they were agreed

with the Hong Kong Government and arrangements

were put in train i.e. completion of the over-

haul need not be a precondition).

(b) No woman should be called upon to work wholly

on night shift, i.e., there should be rotation

of shifts.

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