ENG-1959 — Page 55

OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANIZATION

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affairs, including the organization of classes on various aspects of trade unionism; seeks to encourage joint consultation in industry; and advises on the establishment of appropriate machinery for this purpose. It offers training in supervisory techniques to repre- sentatives of local industry. It is responsible for the protection of women and young persons employed in industry. It protects emigrant workers and administers the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, primarily by investigations conducted by a staff of trained labour inspectors. It carries out surveys of wage rates and conditions of employment, and is responsible for ensuring that publicity is given to the major provisions of the legislation with which the Department is concerned.

During the year the distribution of a large number of industrial safety posters to local factories continued. In addition to the publication of various pamphlets by the Department, twenty seven different articles dealing with aspects of safety, health, welfare, trade unionism, etc., were prepared by officers of the Department and distributed through the Information Services Department for use by the local vernacular press. Through the courtesy of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, the Labour Department_was for the third time provided with a stall to mount a display at the annual exhibition of Hong Kong products held in December. The display aroused interest and the opportunity was again taken to spread more knowledge of the Department's activities among local employers and workers by means of numerous hand-outs and by radio broadcasts.

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The Registry of Trade Unions is responsible for dealing with applications by new trade unions for registration under the Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordinance, and with applications by registered unions for registration of alterations of rules, of change of name or of amalgamation, and with dissolutions. The Registrar also has the power to cancel the registration of a union in certain circumstances.

Registered trade unions are required by the Ordinance to trans- mit to the Registrar before 1st June each year annual returns, showing changes in membership figures and the names of the principal officials, and their audited accounts within one month of presentation to members. During the year the Department successfully prosecuted four unions for late submission of annual