ENG-1953 — Page 49

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953

Labour Legislation. The Workmen's Compensation Ordin- ance 1953, was enacted in September, 1953, and came into force on 1st December by proclamation of the Governor. This ordinance, with modifications to suit local conditions, imple- ments the International Labour Organization Convention No. 17 (Workmen's Compensation Convention, 1925).

Safety, Health and Welfare. In addition to registered factories and workshops, approximately 200 recorded establish- ments, i.e. industrial undertakings which are outside the scope of the Factories and Workshops Ordinance, are visited by Labour Inspectors to ensure that safety, health and welfare provisions are maintained at a reasonable standard. Inspectors also visit cottage industries in domestic buildings and squatter areas to advise on health and safety precautions and to prevent, if possible, the development of hazardous trades. A total of 12,389 visits were made during the year. Of these, 963 were in connexion with industrial and occupational injuries and the payment of compensation, 472 were night visits to industrial undertakings, mainly in connexion with the illegal employment of women, young persons and children and 827 were visits to industrial undertakings employing young persons and appren- tices. The remainder were routine inspections of factories and workshops and visits to non-industrial establishments to advise on fuel oil installations to furnaces, cookers and non-pressure heaters.

During the year 671 occupational and industrial accidents (47 fatal) involving 707 persons were reported. Of these 472 (14 fatal) were in registered factories and workshops. This is a total increase of 127 (7 fatal) over last year, and, in factories and workshops, an increase of 50, with one less fatality. The frequency rate per 1,000 industrial workers increased from 4.3 to 4.6, but fatalities decreased from 0.15 to 0.13 per thousand. Seventy compensation cases were settled and compensation amounting to $84,979.21 was paid.

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