1964 — Page 130

Page 130 of 312

236

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) Is the Chairman aware of the fact that this is having a most serious effect upon the efficiency of the Urban Services Department, in particular the street cleansing operations of the Department?

(c) Is the Chairman aware that the wages paid by Government to Urban Services Department labourers are about or even below subsistence level? ($229 for a labourer with 9 years of service, all allowances included.)

(d) Since the pay scales for labourers in the Urban Services Department compare very unfavourably to wages outside of Government and this is having such a detrimental effect upon the street cleansing and other operations of the Department, will the Chairman please inquire from Government what steps will be taken immediately to remedy the situation?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

I am well aware of the large number of labourers who have left the Department through abscondence or resignation. This is already having a seriously adverse effect on the Department's ability to maintain its cleansing services, despite efforts to keep these at a satisfactory level. At the last Council meeting when a similar question was asked, I said that the number of vacancies and the difficulties of the Department in filling them had been brought to the attention of the Colonial Secretary for consideration.

A labourer in the Urban Services Department with nine years service receives $220 a month at the present Retail Price Index level of 121-125. I have been informed that Government is not in possession of statistics to indicate that wages paid to unskilled labourers are below the subsistence level.

As regards comparisons with wages outside Government, I have been advised by the Colonial Secretary that the wage increase of 14.5% granted to unskilled labourers with effect from 1st April, 1963 was intended to maintain the relationship between Government wages in this grade with wages outside Government service. This increase resulted from a survey of Government wages and salaries undertaken during the period November 1962 to March 1963, which indicated that gross wages for labourers in industry exceeded those paid in Government service by about 10%. I understand that the Labour Department keeps the position under review by means of an annual survey of wages in public utilities and leading industries and which is carried out in March each year. I cannot say whether the comparison in wages is now very unfavourable to the Urban Services Department, but your question will, of course, be brought to the attention of the Colonial Secretary.

The Urban Services Department for its part is exploring all possible means of recruitment of labour, including assistance from the Public Enquiry Service and the newly formed Employment Information Service.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

237

carried out in March each year. I cannot say whether the comparison in wages is now very unfavourable to the Urban Services Department, but your question will, of course, be brought to the attention of the Colonial Secretary.

The Urban Services Department for its part is exploring all possible means of recruitment of labour, including assistance from the Public Enquiry Service and the newly formed Employment Information Service.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, for the benefit of this Council, would you describe how a member of your Department can abscond from the service. (Laughter),

CHAIRMAN: ---Well, Sir, quite a substantial number of labourers just leave and do not report back for work.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Does the Department send a representative to endeavour to find such absconders and urge them to come back?

CHAIRMAN: I would think normally, Sir, "No."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Is there any particular reason for that Mr. Chairman?

CHAIRMAN: I will have to look into the matter for you and let you know if I am right in my supposition, but I would imagine that it is probably considered to be too expensive to spend the time of other staff looking for absconding labourers.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I think the Department is certainly aware that it would be futile to do so in view of the low wages paid to labourers. Is that correct, Sir?

CHAIRMAN:- Sir, I was suggesting that it would be a waste of time.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- In view of the low wages which are at present prevailing? Mr. Chairman, are you aware that there are vacancies for approximately 50 Hawker Control Constables which cannot yet be filled?

CHAIRMAN: ---I have not, Sir, in my mind at the moment, the latest figures on vacancies for Hawker Control Constables.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: ---This is the approximate figure, Mr. Chairman. Are you aware too, Sir, that the Hawkers Select Committee has a programme of expanding the work of the Hawker Control Force and that this programme will be very seriously jeopardized if the vacancies are not filled in the very near future?

CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir.

Page 130

Page 131

312