TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

of the same problem of industrial relations and ought to

go forward together.

difficulties?

What is holding this up?

(See paragraph 7 below).

Staffing

Social Security

3. Public Assistance to widows, old people, etc. is a

growing problem in Hong Kong. The public ascist nce approach

virtually means the acceptance of an obligation to pay non-

contributory pensions, Have the alternatives been looked

at, in particular the possibility of some modest contributory

social security scheme? What are the Government's plans?

Factory Conditions

4. It is hoped that the team at present examining factory

conditions, and arrangements for the registration and

inspection of factories, will produce a blue-print for the

future organisation of this important side of the Labour

Department's work. It is premature to forecast their

recommendation but it is at least possible to say now that

it is unsatisfactory that the most senior technical officer

of the factory inspection section in a great industrial city

should be of no higher grade than an ordinary Factory

Inspector in the United Kingdom.

Child Labour

5. There appears to be disquiet in Hong Kong about the

employment of child labour. At present the law provides

for a minimum age of 14 for employment in industry;

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CO FIDE TIAL