TNAG-0645-FCO40-793-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 3

CODE 18 - 77

Mr

Quaytrill

Mr Stewart

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CONFIDENTIAL

LAST PAPER

أحمر

Reference

HKK 210/1

RA..

30 NOV

No i

1.

•

CHILD LABOUR IN HONG

I have consulted with the Overseas Labour Advisers Department on the figures given to Mr Stewart while in Hong Kong, which purport to show the decreasing significance of this problem.

2. We are agreed that the figures are not very convincing and that we should not allow the Labour Department to lull them- selves into a false sense of complacency. At the same time, because of the introduction of free and compulsory junior secondary education, any suggestions must be muted. We have maintained all along that this development in education is the only effective solution to the problem of child labour. How- ever, it will be almost a year until the change starts and three years before it is completed. In the interim, the impetus must not be lost.

3.

The Overseas Labour Adviser has also suggested that we raise the question of whether it is now the practice to frame a seperate count in respect of each child alleged to be illegally employed. This has an obvious bearing on the deterr- ent value of any fine which might be imposed and this point is therefore included in the attached draft.

3 November 1977

rstewart

ви

J Thompson

K245

Hong Kong & General Department

You may be interested to read these minutes: on reflection, I doubt whether there is much to be gained in writing to Hong Kong about what is largely past history. The important thing now is to see how they cope with the new education law plus the banning of child labor i non. industial work. Perhaps we might start a dialogue on that once the cappropriate

legislation has been passed.

W

82257/11

ا التسليهية

CONFIDENTIAL

in

W. Chantill

24111

Tagner. We would not be on strey greend exproach them now. let us weak for liges again in April. Bu, 1/4/785

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USAT 7 3/4 Jails 24/4