TNAG-0297-FCO40-333-Employment-of-women-at-night-in-industrial-undertakings-in-H-1971 — Page 45

General conditions (a), (b) and (g) remain unchanged.

3.

General condition (c) is modified. A system of rotation is retained although your saving despatch 318 of 25th August, 1970 reveals that this is not a requirement in the United Kingdom. Interviews with women operatives in Hong Kong indicate that they have no strong feelings over compulsory rotation although some prefer to work only at night to suit their own personal conveniences. The Commissioner of Labour considers that there is still insufficient evidence one way or the other to make a final decision on the question of rotation. Consequently, he proposes to allow night work on two out of every three months as an experiment during the next trial period.

4.

General condition (d) is modified to reduce the minimum of women workers on the night shift from 100 to 50. Experience has shown that the present minimum is too high for practical purposes. Some firms have experienced difficulties in ensuring that the actual number who report for work for any one shift as distinct from those willing to work at night meets the minimum. Interviews with women workers indicate that they are not particularly concerned about the necessity for a large number of their own sex to be working beside them. The Commissioner of Labour considers that, for the next experimental period, a minimum of 50 women workers on the night shift should be tried. It is noted from your saving despatch 318 of 25th August, 1970 that there is no minimum requirement in the United Kingdom.

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5.

General condition (e) is modified to eliminate the present fixed ratio of women supervisors to women operatives. Interviews with women workers indicate that this ratio has no significance for them. The Commissioner of Labour is satisfied that it is now a meaningless and unnecessary restriction.

6.

General condition (f) is modified simply to give a precise criterion for restricting the employment of pregnant women. The relevant provisions of the Employment Ordinance were enacted after the present scheme was devised.

7.

General condition (h) is a new requirement. Paragraph 1(a) of your telegram 135 of 6th March, 1970 refers. The Commissioner of Labour replied to Mr. Foggon that he was satisfied that adequate public transport facilities existed in Hong Kong. However, it has been found that all of the managements except one which were authorized to employ women at night do in fact provide special transport for these women employees and it is now considered desirable to introduce this general requirement for all.

8.

The Commissioner of Labour proposes to consider applications from firms normally employing, on all shifts, 400 or more workers, both male and female. The reduction of the present qualification of 500 to 400 will permit a slightly wider range of firms to apply. At the end of December 1970, the number eligible would be 180 but it is likely that many of these would not be interested or do not operate at night. The inspectorate have gained considerable experience in enforcement during the initial trial period and are now capable of dealing with more factories.

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