TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 86

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Mr Kinnear

I am afraid that these papers have been somewhat delayed, initially because I was awaiting Mr Foggon's return to this country.

2.

Please see Mr Foggon's Minute at Flag A. He based his recommendations, that the attention of the Hong Kong Government should be drawn to the continuing upward trend in overtime work, and "our" concern expressed on Para- graphs 5-12 of his October, 1967, report. (Attached below) Paragraph 10 contains the following passage: -

"The aim of the policy must be to reduce

overtime to 100 hours per annum as quickly as possible at the end of the transitional period. For this purpose, it would be valuable if the incidence of overtime could be analysed at the end of each twelve month period and a report rendered to the Common- wealth Office. If an opportunity should occur of reviewing overtime maxima in ad- vance of December, 1971, then this should be taken. Such an opportunity would occur if, as expected by the Commissioner of Labour, a large majority of employees do not use the full permitted range of over- time."

Unfortunately, the signs are that the full amount of over- time is being worked in a majority of cases, and I do not think we would be justified in approaching Hong Kong yet.

3. In his Minutes, Mr Foggon raises the question of whether the Factory Inspectorate can cope with the extra work load. If we wish to consider this question, could it not be done more discreetly, and more effectively, by the DEP team which we are planning to send to the Colony? Should we then find cause for concern, we will have some firm evidence on which to base our approach to Hong Kong.

4. The transition to a 48-hour week for women and young persons will be completed in December, 1971, which, with the advantage of the six-month period of adjustment, means final compliance by 1 June, 1972. This is two years away. I would agree with the views expressed in Mr Stewart's Minute of 9 February, Flag B, that it is too early to approach Hong Kong. A more appropriate time would, I think, be after December, 1970, when the pen- ultimate reduction in hours is made, and we can reason- ably expect Hong Kong to turn their attention to the reduction of overtime working to the maximum of 100 hours.

5. I would suggest that we use the DEP team as a vehicle for expressing our concern. This would comply with Mr Foggon's view, Flag B overleaf, that "Hong Kong should be made aware that we are watching the position closely", and that, depending on the team's findings, we take no direct action before December.

IRIT way

(I. R. Murray, 6th May, 1970.