TNAG-0338-FCO40-374-Report-of-visits-of-Overseas-Labour-Adviser--G-Foggon--from--1972 — Page 42

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(f) It is agreed that improvements in the administrative

methods and training of the two inspectorates

are much needed and it is proposed that two Hong Kong factory inspectors should be sent to this country to be trained as trainers. Arrangements for this are now in hand at the Overseas Development Administration (ODA).

23. As regards the training of inspectors, the position is as follows:-

(a) Labour Officers or Assistant Labour Officers:

1 Labour Officer (Mr SUNG Kwan-chak) is attending the current course

1 Asst. L.0. (Mr AU-YEUNG Man-tak) has been offered and accepted a place on the course beginning in January 1972.

1 Asst. L.0. (Mr MAK Sai-Yiu) is to be considered for either the January or the March course.

Hong Kong wishes all three officers to have further train- ing after the course at Hong Kong expense in Labcur Relations, Personnel Management and Employment for "up to 4 months".

(b) Labour Inspectors:

Three have just arrived in the UK for a programme of training in safety inspection, wages inspection and general labour inspection (enforcement of the law on employment of women and children etc). This includes visits and attachments to the Department of Employment and its inspectorates, Department of Health and Social Security and the local authorities who are concerned with various aspects of working conditions (under the Shops Act etc), with public health, and with private employment agencies. The three are Mr LAW Chi-bun, Mr LAW King-lun and Mr TONG Wai-Chee.

24. It is accepted that the factory inspectorate requires re- inforcement at a senior level; but the drastic step of importing an outsider to take over control is not justified. Nevertheless the factory inspectorate requires a full scale administrative and technical overhaul and it is suggested that this can best be achieved by appointing a well qualified UK Factory Inspector (of not less than Superintending Inspector of Factories grade if possible) as an adviser on contract for a period of two to two and a half years. If this proposal is accepted in Hong Kong and a formal request is made, the recruitment of an officer with the right level of experience and suitable personal qualities can be put in hand.

Trade Unions

25. The division of Hong Kong's trade unions on political lines continues, one group (the stronger) supporting the Federation of Trade Unions (PTU) and the other the Trades Union Council (TUC).

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