TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 48

CODE 18 -71

Reference.....

LA/HK/2

(69)

Quaytrill

пара

Mr Quantrill HKGD

199

ши

K 247

HONG KONG : SOCIAL SECURITY

1.

You may be interested in information given to me today by a visiting professor from the Institute of Labour and Management, Sogang University, Seoul - Professor Park - about a contributory and compulsory national insurance scheme to be implemented in Korea next year.

It is based on a 6% contribution by workers, 6% by employers and 3% by government, and will provide sickness, unemployment and retirement benefits. We understand that it will eventually replace a public assistance scheme.

2. It might be worthwhile obtaining more information from the Embassy at Seoul so that we can present the hard facts of the scheme to the Hong Kong Government which so consistently argues that Korea is one of its major competitors and that Hong Kong employers cannot be placed at a disadvantage with its neighbours. There is also the point that Hong Kong stated policy is to introduce the best employment and social practices found in the region (with the exception of Japan)

31 August 1978

HR G Hurst Overseas Labour Adviser

c. Mr Cooper FED

~ Stang

9

agree:

K 259

* will you or thiss Wills please take this

up with the Embassy in Seoul?

гли

Miss

Flous fllow this up.

Dia

IN

HKK 234/

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 2. 51 - 8 SEP 1978

DESK OF INDEX

PA

BY

Nolemw CLE