TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 82

HKK 5/3

UNCLASSIFIED

WAST

REF.

# SEPUT

REF.

D

Another 2 weeks

planse 2/7/72.

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XX P1.B.D. in 3 weeks. A latter is on the way.

1

во

11/6/70

Another 3 works please. 127_165/7/70

11 June, 1970:

味

D

05/8

You wrote to me on 17 April under your reference 4/08 319/67, enclosing an abstract of the agreement reached by Vauxhall's last November, over the employment of women on night work.

2. Hong Kong are now seeking more information under the sub- head relating to equal pay for women, in respect to the following points:

(a) does acceptance of common hours of work for men

and women affect

(1)

the statutory period of rest for women after continuous employment of between 4 to 5 hours,

(ii) the statutory limits for each day, week, or year on overtime for

women:

(b) what are the conditions under which women are

available for work on the night shift with regard to

Cigard

(ii)

minimum numbers of women actually employed,

compulsory rotation between night and day shifts,

(iii) restriction of supervision of

operatives to women supervisors,

(iv) medical restrictions on sick or

pregnant women.

on

3. I am also enclosing a copy of a speech made by Mr Hetherington, Hong Kong's Commissioner of Labour, to the Legislative Council, 11 March, 1970. In the course of this statement he mentions: "It appears to me that several night shifts of 10 hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. are permissible under the UK Factory Acts". understand that Vauxhall's work a two-shift system and women are not required to work after 10 p.m. and, under UK legislation, cannot be employed on a night shift. I should be grateful for your cominents.

I

(I. R. Murray)

Hong Kong Department

S

P. L. Bayly, Esq.,

Overseas Division,

Department of Employment and Productivity,

32 St. James's Square, S.W.1.