ENG-1960 — Page 75

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EMPLOYMENT

Labour disputes. Much activity was devoted to negotiations over wage increases in 1960, and few of these developed into disputes. At the end of January there was a flurry over Chinese New Year bonuses, chiefly in the cotton industry in Tsuen Wan, and isolated cases involving problems of redundancy broke out during the year. Altogether there were 29 strikes and 5 lockouts causing a loss of 54,062 man-days. This figure was below the yearly average since the war.

The disputes over Chinese New Year bonuses arose from demands for larger bonuses than the usual 30 days' wages. Go-slow action and stoppages of work took place, but by the eve of Chinese New Year all disputes were settled. In only one concern did the employer agree to pay more than the previous standard rate. A loss of 12,330 man-days occurred in a total of 14 mills. During the year 21 collective agreements on wage increases and improved conditions of employment were signed in the presence of officers of the Labour Department. The most important of these affected employees of the Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd and the Dairy Farm Ice and Cold Storage Co Ltd, Cantonese and Chiu Chow tea house workers, rubber workers, and vermicelli and noodle employees. 1,594 minor disputes were dealt with by the Labour Department.

Redundant employees of HM Dockyard and the armed services. HM Dockyard officially closed down in November 1959, and the small number of civilian employees who were retained came under the administrative control of the Office of Naval Works. During the year, 280 were discharged as redundant as the dockyard equipment and stores were either transferred or sold and the buildings were demolished.

The Employment Liaison Office, which is now staffed solely by officers of the Labour Department, continued to assist workers from the dockyard, including those laid off since 1957, and former civilian employees of the War Department and the Royal Air Force. In 1960 572 of these workers were helped to find new employment. The total rundown, excluding those discharged for other causes than redundancy, was 4,339 up to 31st December 1960. Of these 3,966, or 91%, are known to have found new jobs.

Groups of dockyard workers continued to visit the Labour Department periodically to demand new employment. The majority

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