TNAG-0786-FCO40-990-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-labour-and-trade-union--1978 — Page 192

From The Minister of State

THE RT HON THE LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

12 December 1978

LAST PAPER

Dear But,

HKK 212/5

RECEIVED II RECISTRY NO. 51 14 DEC 1978

DESK OF INDEX

RY

PA

• cron Ton

Th

Thank you for your letter of 20 November about Labour conditions in Hong Kong.

I am sorry that you still feel that your original remarks were justified. As I said in my letter of 3 August, there are still many improvements which need to be made in Hong Kong, but I cannot accept that conditions are as unsatisfactory as you claim they are.

It is incorrect to say that Hong Kong does not have legislative provisions entitling an injured worker to medical aid or making his employer responsible for its cost. Under the Hong Kong Workmen's Compensation Ordinance an employer must pay compensation to any worker who is injured or killed as

of an accident in the course of his employment. Recent amend- ments to the Ordinance have increased the number of workers covered by its provision, improved the coverage for medical expenses and imposed a stiffer penalty on employers who default in payment of compensation.

Nor is it true to say that there is no provision for sickness, old age or employment. Hong Kong already has a range of assistance benefits, including welfare allowances and old age supplements. In November 1977, the Hong Kong Government published a Green Paper setting out its proposals for developing the whole social security system. Among the proposals contained in the Green Paper were plans to cover the risks of extended sickness, death and retirement. At his speech at the opening of the Legislative Council in October, the Governor confirmed the Government's commitment to provide this coverage and said that he hoped to put forward proposals during the Council's present session.

The planning for all the proposals in the Green Paper has been undertaken with the help of the United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Security.

R Cryer Esq MP

House of Commons LONDON SW1 A OAA

/I enclose

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