TNAG-0297-FCO40-333-Employment-of-women-at-night-in-industrial-undertakings-in-H-1971 — Page 23

CONFIDENTIAL

10ミ

EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AT NIGHT IN HONG KONG

1. On 1 March 1970 the Commissioner of Labour was authorised to consider applications from managements of selected industrial undertakings to employ women at night for a trial period of sixteen months. General conditions were laid down to govern frequent inspection and internal conditions such as lighting, ventilation and cleanliness and seven special safeguards were also imposed.

2. Following a recent review the Commissioner of Labour was satisfied that the scheme had worked well and, to meet the continued shortage of labour, should be extended for a further trial period of one year, ie until 30 June 1972. After due consultation he recommended - and Ministers have agreed - that safeguards for the coming year should be modified. A comparison between the original and proposed safeguards is given below:-

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(e)

(f)

Safeguards for period

1 March 1970 -

30 June 1971

Restricted to adult women aged 18 years or more who, voluntarily agree in writing.

Restricted to shifts not exceeding eight hours.

Shift rotation ensuring no woman works at night for more than one month followed by not less than one month of work by day.

A minimum of 100 women workers on each night shift.

Supervision by women supervisors at a ratio of one per 10 workers.

Restriction on employment of pregnant women especially during later stages of pregnancy.

Safeguards for period 1 July 1971 - 30 June 1972

No change.

No change.

Shift rotation ensuring no woman works at night for more than two months followed by not less than one month of work by day.

A minimum of 50 women workers on each night shift.

Supervision as far as practicable by women supervisors.

No employment of

pregnant women who have applied for maternity leave in accordance the

Employment Ordinance.

/(g)

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CONFIDENTIAL