TNAG-0873-FCO40-1083-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 115

CONFIDENTIAL

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opening the 1976 session of the Legislative Council that the Government would achieve the level of labour and social legislation, at least broadly equivalent to the best in neighbouring countries, well within five years.

6.

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I find it somewhat odd that, although the general penalty for the illegal employment of children was increased to a maximum of $10,000 in 1977, and this figure is retained for some offences under the new Regulations, the lower maximum of $5,000 is considered adequate for the offences specified in Regulations 5 and 6. These include illegal employment in the scheduled "prohibited occupations" The Anti-Slavery Society also point (at page 6 of their report) to the low average level of fines. Mr Luard in his written Parlia- mentary Answer of 21 March 1979, said that the average fine has risen fourfold since 1974, ie to the region of $1,000 or about £100. This is already considered by the Anti-Slavery Society to be an inadequate deterrent.

7. In brief, we can rebut the Anti-Slavery Society's report on the grounds that they have failed to attach sufficient importance to the plans which are outlined for expanding secondary school education etc., but there could still be criticism from that body or others.

8. There are other matters in the pamphlet which you may need to rebut if you are to make a detailed reply. There are previous papers I believe on Professor Porter's work (page 2) and the Hong Kong Office prepared some material on the health and safety of factor: workers in Hong Kong which might be used in dealing with the figures of factory accidents cited at pages 4 and 5.

13 July 1979

HR G Hurst

Overseas Labour Adviser

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL