TNAG-0738-FCO40-942-Progress-reports-of-Civil-Service-Branch--Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 26

CODE 18.77

CONFIDENTIAL

separate copies to:

Mr Thompson

Mr Quantrill

Mr Stewart

Reference

AKK 016/2

2016/2

2 3 MAY 1978

5

FA

Action Tetren

HONG KONG QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS

1. The quarterly progress reports, covering February to April 1978, have just been received from Hong Kong. At a brief glance they are generally satisfactory, except in education, where the figures are slightly disappointing. I shall shortly be drafting a submission amplifying the following points:-

This could not really start whi reported

Civil Service

a. Hong Kong maintain SATA's dispute is not a "live issue" in Hong Kong, although 109 typists have yet to accept the Government's terms. There are also currently disputes in the Fublic Works Department and Social Welfare Department, mainly on pay and promotion prospects.

Social Welfare

a. The following were implemented in April:

(i) The old age supplement of HK $100 per month for those aged 60 plus on public assistance who do not already have welfare allowance.

(ii) The long term supplement of HK $500 per annum per family (HK $250 for single person) for those receiving public assistance for one year.

(iii)

The disregarded income is increased to HK 150 for those applying for PA.

(iv)

Welfare allowance to be given to those in residential institutional accommodation.

(v) The establishment of a Social Security Appeal Board.

Labour

a.

It is disappointing to note that Hong Kong do not expect to begin reviewing the case for a statutory minimum wage, and an 8 hour day for all with specified overtime rates, until late 1978/79.

However, the Workmen's Compensation bill on pneumoconiosis, in factories and industrial

CONFIDENTIAL