TNAG-0644-FCO40-792-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 144

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B

CONFIDENTIAL

A Labour

(i)

The number of compulsory rest days to be increased from 4 a month to 1 a week as from 1 January 1977;

(ii) One week's paid annual leave with effect

from 1 January 1978;

(iii)

(iv)

Sickness benefits to be improved from to 2/3 of pay and the maximum number of days for which it can be paid to be increased from 24 to 36;

A compensation scheme for workers suffering from silicosis or asbestosis;

(v) Further safety regulations to be introduced;

(vi) Better protection of workers' wages in case of

bankruptcy or liquidation;

(vii)

Abolish overtime for young persons by four annual stages from 1 January 1977 to 1 January 1980;

(viii)

Increase severance pay rate from 1/3 to a month's pay for each year of service;

(ix)

(x)

Employers to meet the cost of replacement of surgical appliances in compensation cases;

Raise wage ceiling for eligibility for workmen's compensation for non-manual workers from

$2,000 to $5,000 (all manual workers already eligible);

(xi) Vicarious liability for wages to be imposed on

principal contractors in building and construction industries;

(xii)

Relaxation of restrictions on trade union office holders.

Social Welfare

(i) Public assistance for unemployed able-bodied

persons under 55 to be introduced as from 1 April 1977 (families already eligible);

2

CONFIDENTIAL

/(ii)