TNAG-0279-FCO40-315-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 108

CONFIDENTIAL

items, including new provisions for conciliation, joint

consultation, welfare, redundancy and holidays.

Of three

The

major Bills in this programme two have now been enacted. The Employment Act provides greater protection for wages and

makes detailed provision for contracts of service. Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Ordinance improves the provisions for compensation payments in the event of death or injury; this Ordinance also extended the field of compen- sation to include non-manual workers earning $ 1500 or less

a month. The third Bill - on industrial relations

still being drafted;

is

its purpose is to provide machinery for

the settlement of trade disputes.

Bill to establish Labour Courts.

Also being drafted is a

Other recent legislation

has protected employees' wages in the event of an employer's bankruptcy and also established the right of male workers to

four rest days a month.

5.

Progressively up to 1 December, 1971 - the permitted hours of work for women and young persons are being reduced from 60 to 48 hours a week. However, following discussions

with Lord Shepherd, the Hong Kong authorities have recently announced that they are prepared to consider, under certain stringent conditions, applications for the cmployment of women on night shift. This decision has not been welcomed by certain Members of Parliament and by representatives of the U.K. textile trade unions. Both groups have recently

that arrange- been informed by Lord Shepherd in confidence ments are being made for a team of U.K. experts to visit

2

CONFIDENTIL