5
Social Consequences
11.
Approximately 90% of the refugees are in open camps and about 26% of these have found temporary employment in Hong Kong with which to support themselves and their families. This is satisfactory at a time of labour shortage but a downturn in the economy could very easily make the refugees the object of considerable resentment if they had jobs at a time when local people were losing theirs. In the meantime the refugees are swelling the numbers using public transport, recreational facilities and other services. There have been some instances of friction between refugees and Hong Kong residents mainly as a result of the over- crowded conditions.
Security Branch
Government Secretariat
27th September, 1979.
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