TNAG-0783-FCO40-987-Employment-of-children-In-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 38

BACKGROUND NOTE

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CHY ZDENT LIAL

At present the employment of children under 15 in industrial undertakings is illegal, and this will” be extended to include all full-time employment by 1980. Employers found guilty of illegal employment of children now face a maximum fine of HK$ 10,000 which was raised from the previous figure of HK$ 5,000 on 6 May 1977. Singe last May fines of his i 5,000 (the highest sentence imponed so far), have been imposed 100 4 occasion. The average level of fines has increased

og substantially over the past few years. 416 factory, Owners were convicted last year for 446 offences.

2. The registration of all 11 to 17 year olds (which includes the issue of an identity card with photograph) is expected to be completed by Lctober of this year, which will make it more difficult for employers to claim that they were misled about children's ages. The women and Young Persons Unit of the Hong Kong Department of Labour mount a continuous publicity * campaign against illegal employment of children and carry out widespread checks three times each year.

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CONFIDENTIAL