TNAG-0876-FCO40-1086-Development-of-social-welfare-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 15

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CHAPTER 2

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONV NTIONS

2.1

The working Group went on to examine the requirements concerning maternity protection stipulated in International

Labour Conventions since the establishment of the International

Labour Organisation in 1919. It noted that three ILO Conventions (Nos. 3, 102 and 103) and two IIC Recommendations (Nos. 12 and 95)

deal solely or partly with maternity protection and benefits. App. 8 Having examined the various provisions (surnary at appendix 8), the

Working Group reached the following major conclusions:

(a) Insofar as the length of maternity leave is

concerned, 12 weeks (of which at least 6 weeks

must be after confinement) is the minimum ILO

standard. Desirably a minimum of 14 weeks is

recommended by the 110. The orking Group observed that at a rate of about 10 weeks (with

at least 6 weeks after confinement), Hong Kong almost matches the ILC standard and is superior to most of its neighbouring countries where the norm is about 8 weeks.

(3)

As regards cash benefit, the IL minimwa is

defined as an amount sufficient for the full and

healthy maintenance of the fecale work r and her

child for the whole period of absence from work;

this amount should be at least 2/3 of the female worker's previous wages. Full wares are recommended

as desirable by the ILO.

(c) As regards medical benefits, the ILO requires the

provision of pre-natal, confinement and post-natal care by medical practitioners or qualified midwives and hospitalisation where necessary. hore elaborate medical benefits such as home visits by medical

practitioners, dental care, nursing care at home or in hospital and medical supplies are recommended as desirable. The 'orking Group observed that Hong

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