ENG-1950 — Page 29

II.

OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANIZATION.

The majority of the working population, apart from the fishing industry and the farmers of the New Territories, finds employment in commerce connected with the Colony's position as a great entrepot, or in industry, which now comprises more than one hundred and fifty types. Up to the end of September the number of workers in registered factories and workshops had increased by some 12,000 from the end of 1949 and now stands at 87,121, in spite of a falling off in such important industries as rubber shoe manufacture and a continued decline in the numbers employed in shipbuilding and repairing. Difficulties caused by the high price of materials

since the outbreak of the Korean war were enhanced in December by the almost complete cutting off of supplies of essential raw materials normally received from the United States. Alternative sources of supply are being explored.

Labour Department

This department of which the Commissioner of Labour is the head is responsible not only for the registration and inspection of factories and workshops, the registration of trade unions and the review and preparation, in conjunction with the Legal Department, of legislation to meet local or international requirements, but also for conciliation in trade disputes and in minor complaints (which averaged 48 a month in 1950) usually about arrears of wages or wrongful dismissal, for investigation of working conditions, partic- ularly of women and young persons in industry, and for advising trade unions on matters of organization and finance.

Labour Advisory Board

In January the Board was reconstituted to give equal representa- tion to employers and workers. Under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Labour, and with the Commodore Superintendent of H.M. Dockyard as Services Observer, it is now made up of four representatives each of employers and workers, two in each group being elected and two nominated by the Governor. The Board has been examining draft legislation on apprenticeship as well as on workmen's compensation.

Legislation

Labour legislation in Hong Kong is designed to apply as far as possible the standards of the International Labour Code and also to meet local needs by specific measures. International conventions

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