TNAG-0873-FCO40-1083-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 121

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that 45% of injuries were caused by machinery and that 50% of

such injuries occurred to the fingers. The Granada TV show

that has been referred to showed film of several children

under 14 with injured or missing fingers. Hours of work were

shown in a 1968 study to be the longest in Asia (13) and the

1971 Census showed that 11% of the workforce regularly worked

more than 75 hours per week and that some 13,792 worked over 105 hours. (14) High levels of humidity, noise and atmospheric

pollution are typical in factories where this does not affect

the product. Where it does (e.g. in electronics) factories

are often air-conditioned but recent studies by Dr. A. Djao

have shown that even here, the levels of stress imposed by the work-rate and piece-work system lead to permanently impaired eyesight in female workers by the early to mid 20's. (15)

Attitude of the Hong Kong Government

The attitude of the Hong Kong Government (and that of the Foreign Office Officials who have to answer critics in Parliament) over

the question of child labour shows that they are aware of the

sensitive nature of the issue and are very concerned lest criticism

on this emotive problem should fuel protectionist reaction in

countries (which includes Britain, the responsible power) whose industries are suffering against the dynamic edge of Hong Kong's export-drive. The reporter for the Hong Kong Standard, Lynne Watson, whose report on child labour has been referred to

attempted to secure an interview with Labour Department officials

in connection with her article. She was told "This is a touchy

matter due to overseas interests. We don't like to say much."

No interviews were forthcoming

Officials tend to stress the number of surprise inspections

they do and point to higher levels of prosecutions and higher fines

as evidence of their sincerity in tackling the problem. They emphasize

that the Department is understaffed and that

parents, children and employers connive in children's employment

in ways which make enforcement and detection difficult if not