TNAG-0786-FCO40-990-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-labour-and-trade-union--1978 — Page 42

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機密

(a)

small inspectorate: there are about 130 labour insepctors for the whole country with a labour force of 20 million (4 million in commerce and industry). Of this number of inspectors, about 60 are located in Bangkok which has about 10,000 factories, and the rest are in the employ of provincial administrations. Each of the 40

provincial offices is staffed with one

or two inspectors. In so far as the

Bangkok office is concerned, the ratio of inspectors to commercial or industrial establishments is 1 : 1,500, or one inspector to 10,000 workers.

(b) geographical distribution of industrial

establishments: apart from the small size of most establishments, there is the difficulty of having to travel long distances for inspection duties. This renders impossible the mounting of any ambitious programme of inspections.

(c) substantial unemployment: the

official estimate of the unemployment rate is about 6.5%, although it is generally believed that the actual rate

is much higher. In the face of serious unemployment, employees are generally more ready to tolerate poor wages and working conditions. Even when such treatment is brought to the attention of the authorities concerned, workers often connive with their employers

to frustrate the authorities.

/(a).....

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