TNAG-0607-FCO40-755-Monitoring-progress-made-on-planning-papers-on-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 190

Labour

76

Our last session was noticeable for the

for SS

volume of labour legislation.

· Lov L

14 items, some of great

importance were pased, bringing the total during the past 5 years to 85.

2.

To recapitulate:

3.

entitlement to holidays was radically improved.

The number of statutory holidays was increased from 6 to 10; rest days were made weekly - that is to say increased from 48 to 52 a year; and provision was made for a week's paid leave

from '78 onwards;

the rate of severance pay was increased from

1/3 to 1/2 a month's pay for each year of service, and extended retrospectively to 1966;

sickness allowance was increased from to 2/3

days pay with a maximum entitlement raised from

24 to 36 days.

The Employment Ordinance was improved

to provide fuller protection of wages.

4.

In order to eradicate the employment of children in industry the maximum penalty for the offence was raised to $10,000, and this is proving

a more effective deterrent. In the same area of labour protection overtime work by young persons is being abolished by stages ending in January 1980.