ENG-1961 — Page 72

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EMPLOYMENT

thought still to be unemployed as having found work. Up to 31st December 1961, 6,439 redundant employees had been registered of whom 6,080 are known to have found new work.

LEGISLATION

Two important ordinances, the Industrial Employment (Holi- days with Pay and Sickness Allowance) Ordinance and the Trade Union Registration Ordinance became law in the last week of the year. It is intended to bring both into effect by proclamation in the early part of 1962.

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The Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness Allowance) Ordinance breaks new ground in the field of labour legislation by prescribing six paid holidays a year and providing for twelve days' sick leave at half pay to all qualified manual workers and many non-manual workers engaged in industrial employment. The Trade Union Registration Ordinance amends and revises the existing law relating to trade unions which was passed in 1948. Government's basic policy towards trade unions remains unchanged but the comprehensive revision, based on experience and bearing in mind changed circumstances, will pro- vide for further healthy development of trade unionism locally. The remaining portions of the existing ordinance relating to arbitration will be re-titled the Trade Disputes Ordinance. (For further details see Chapter 12).

A new Employers and Servants Ordinance became law in October. This repealed and re-enacted in a form more appropriate to modern conditions and practices an ordinance with the same title which has been in force since 1902.

In December a short amendment to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance was enacted. This covered several separate matters including provisions designed to give effect to requirements of International Labour Convention No 81, known as the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947, regarding the disclosure by public officers of sources of complaint.

Draft legislation relating to boilers and pressure receivers and to the conditions of employment of women and young persons