TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 126

Hongkong factories 'inhumane'

London claim

The Hongkong Government came under allack la London yesterday for allowing "inhumane" working conditions in the Colony's factories.

Mi John Greenalgh, Gen- The Federation is calling about these conditions," he eral Secretary of the Interna-' on 57 affiliated whions in 30 added. Hoval Textiles and Garment countries to bring pressure Workers' Federation, said he on their governments to ban would give detalls of poor imports from Hongkong un- factory working conditions less the Colorý inmoses more at tolky ha hoped to bave humane waRhens Conditions, with. Brilish Government representatives.

Replled Mr 'Hetherington: "The carnings of industrial Workers have increased over The post ten years or so by and dre now But in Hongkong last night probably higher than any* the Commissioner of Labour, where else in the Far'East the Ion R. M. Hetherington, except Japan. refuted allegations made by

Mr Greenaigh Including "Morcover, during this one that 12-year-olds have period the cost of living has worked up to 14 hours a day increased at a substantially in some. "backyard” factories. slower rate with the result that real wages have risen steadily."

"The conditions in some of the larger factories in Hong- kong are comparable with similar factories elsewhere in the world," said Mr Hether- ington..

Night work

On the subject of night work for women. Mr Hether- "The selective "While some of the smaller ington said:

em- factories do not match up to ployment of women at night

scheme to permit the these high standards, they are is for a trial period and sub- all required to comply with

ject to considerable general the provisions of the Fac- tories and Industrial Under- and specifle safeguards.".. takings Ordinance which is The scheme would not be- based on United Kingdom factory acts."

Inspection

All factories were inspect- ed periodically.

come effective until next mont! *lik cough in Britain agreement to permit women to wock at night was reached last November.

"Night work for women has The Commissioner said the long been permitted in the employinent ot children United States," he said. "It is under the age of 14 was pro-also allowed, in varying cir- hibited and the prohibition cumstances, in Canada, Aus- was strictly enforced.

tralia, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and many other countries."

"No report of a chtid aged 12 years working regularly for 14 hours a day has been substantiated," he said."

The Commissioner said that trade union members were able to express their] Other complaints made in views on local conditions | | London by Me Greenalgh in- through their membership of |cluded low pay in Hongkong the Labour Advisory Board factories and the recent which he consulted on legisla- decision of the Commissioner tion and other matters, to allow, on a trial basis, the employment of

at women night.

Asked if Hongkong would} ask to be represented if Me Greenalgh has talks with "Hongkong workers have British Government represen- Bo effective trade union tatives, a spokesman for the movement, they have no say Colonial Secretariat said: in the Government and they "At this stage this is a have no way of protesting hypothetical question."

Sont China Morning Post-

Friary 264 1770.

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