CONFIDENTIAL
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C. There are no grounds for complacency as regards some othe points brought out in the programe. Two points in particular are worrying. First, as the Overseas Labour Adviser has pointed out, it ought to be possible to secure remedial action as regards the level of the fines imposed on employers who infringe the laws concerning child labour. It is not that the present zaxi.ns level of fines (IK 5,000) is particularly low, but that the courte, for reasons which are not apparent, have consistently to impose high fines. (There was one of 3MK 3,000 in 1975 but' the verage for that year was HK 332, which was actual? than the average for 1973.) This problem might be overcome by increasing the maximum level that could we imposed, with a view to prompting the courts to make a corresponding increase in the level of fines actually imposed. Alternatively, the Chief Justice might be encouraged to advise the courts to adopt a tou her attitude towards infringements of child labour legislation. The department intends to take up this matter with the Hong Kong
The second point is that the "World in Action"
Government.
pro ramme demonstrated the need to ensure that there is no delay on the part of the Hong Kong Government in carrying out t proposed plan to raise the school leaving age to 15 by 1.30 90 that the related minimum age for any form of employment could be correspondingly adjusted upwards. we shall need to watc!. carefully to see that there is no slippage in the lion Government's education plans. A further pint is that cc eration
ai ht be van to prodding the liong Kong Government to the same limit on the employment of children in non-in establishments us already exists in the case of industri. establishments, i.e. not below 14 years of age.
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7. I recommend that any enquiries about the "World in Action" programme should be handled by reference to the Answers
Vim to r Parry's PQs and that, as a first stage, the departent should mursue the question of the fines imposed for the illegal employ- Jent of child labour. The OLA and Mr Lipaey have beau consulted in the preparation of this submission.
21 December 1976
Pilton
Hong Kong Department
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