TNAG-0645-FCO40-793-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 4

CODE 18 - 77

Mr Hurst

Reference

HKK 210/1.

Mr Thumbom HHG Dept 1245.

Путром ннадий

with Mr Walsh: but in agree

X in.

vespert

3 sterkest of porn 3 I think the questions tuned be: Is a reharate count framed ne sheet of each child alleged if to Ilegally

of

CHILD LABOUR IN HONG KONG

in

OLA

1. maximum fine was raised this year the average fine each month has been between two to three times greater than in the corresp- onding month in 1976. The most recent campaign against child employment conducted in the August-September summer holiday found a greater number of children illegally employed than previous campaigns (133 against 101 in 1975+the same number in 1976) but the 1977 campaign covered a workforce which was more than 75 per cent greater than in the previous years, leading to the conclusion of the Labour Department that the incidence of child employment is declining - from 0.1 per eent of the work- force inspected in 1975, 0.096 in 1976 and 0.07 per cent this year. The figures show that fines were levied per case and not per child, at least up to the beginning of September this year.

2. I am sure that Mr Quantrill is right in arguing that the average level of fines is not sufficiently high to deter many unscrupulous employers from employing children but I doubt if any increase in fines would have the effect of eliminating child labour. In fact, I think that the solution will be found in the introduction of free and compulsory education up to the legal age for employment. Hong Kong would probably strongly resist any renewed attempt to raise fines so soon after the April increase and could argue that the figures do indicate both a reduction in the incidence of child labour per workplace inspected and, an increase in the energy and determination on the part of the Labour Department in enforcing the legal prohibition of child labour.

Appendix II shows that in the first six months since the //m.

3.

X/ whether it is now the

I think that we should formally ask the Hong Kong Government

practice for judges to levy fines on employers for each child illegally employed. We should at the same time attempt to challenge the complacency implied in the second paragraph of the covering note by expressing concern at the number of children who are being illegally employed and by suggesting that the campaigns by the inspectorate should be maintained or stepped up. An increase in the likelihood of being found out might well cause more worry to an employer than an increase in the level of fines. It might also be pointed out as Mrs Pun did during her visit that employers can no longer

/claim