TNAG-2816-FCO40-4062-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1993 — Page 86

money 8(a).

As regards for appropriate

17

independent producers, facilities for borrowing purposes have already been described under Article

Article 18

PART VI NON-DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF RACE. COLOUR. SEX.

BELIEF TRIBAL ASSOCIATION OR TRADE UNION AFFILIATION

among

1&2.

In Hong Kong, there is generally no discrimination workers on grounds of race, colour, sex, belief, tribal association or trade union affiliation. In industry, daily and monthly rates of pay for men are generally higher than those for women because of the different nature of their jobs and also because male workers work slightly longer hours. In general no differentiation is made in respect of piece rates for the same kind of job. In the commercial sector, salaries for men are generally higher than those for women. This is attributable to the fact that when men and women work on

jobs of a similar nature in the same establishment, men usually hold a higher supervisory position requiring more initiative and judgement and therefore tend to receive more pay than their female counterparts. However, it is not uncommon to find women holding key positions in commercial and service establishments.

In the civil service, there is full parity of pay between the male and female employees. Furthermore, they are eligible for fringe benefits on an equal basis. These include housing benefits, medical and dental treatment. for spouses and dependent children, education allowances for dependent children and passages, In addition, male and female employees have equal access to training, both local and overseas. Promotion is based solely on ability and competence without regard to sex.

PART VII EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Article 19

Progressive Development of Education

In

In Hong Kong, there is a growing need for better education. general education, all children aged between six and 15 are provided with free and compulsory education up to junior secondary level, i.e. Form 3. Special education and adult education are also provided in order to meet the needs of special groups of persons. For tertiary education, the government provides financial assistance to tertiary institutions through the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee which is responsible for advising on the development of and

and funding requirements for higher education.

to

The Education Commission was set up in April 1984 to review the education system as a whole in the light of the needs of the community. The commission is composed of government and non-government members with a view to ensuring that a broad range of personal and professional experience is brought

bear on the issues to be discussed by the Commission. The commission sets out its recommendations in reports which are normally published for public consultation. So far, it has published three reports covering different topics concerning the education system in Hong Kong.