ENG-1965 — Page 45

EMPLOYMENT

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hours. Except where continuous production demands a rotation of rest days, which are usually unpaid, Sunday is the most common rest day. Many male industrial workers do not have a rest day but it is customary to grant unpaid leave on request.

LABOUR ADMINISTRATION

An important development during the year was the establish- ment of an Industrial Training Advisory Committee to replace the Standing Committee on Technical Education and Vocational Training and to advise on operative (including apprenticeship) and technician training in industry. The Industrial Training Advisory Committee, which is under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Labour, consists of eight official and 13 unofficial members. The unofficials are drawn equally from industrial and workers' organiza- tions (four each), together with a further five from institutions and societies which have a particular interest in industrial training. The committee, which met twice during 1965, concerns itself chiefly with co-ordination and advice on policy on all matters related to industrial training. It operates through a series of associated com- mittees established for particular industries or functions. By the end of the year the committee had decided, as a first step, to recommend the setting up of separate industrial committees to examine in detail all aspects of industrial training affecting six of Hong Kong's main industries. The government has accepted the principle that, with the advice of the Industrial Training Advisory Committee, the Labour Department should assume responsibility for promoting the training of operatives while the Education Department will retain respon- sibility for technician training. This, coupled with the rapid expan- sion and growth of industry, has made reorganization of the Labour Department necessary. Plans for reorganization and expansion were formulated and, in part, put into effect during the year.

The Commissioner of Labour is the principal adviser to the Governor on labour and industrial relations policies. All labour legislation is initiated in the Labour Department, which also ensures that Hong Kong's obligations under International Labour Con- ventions are observed. The reorganization of the department provides for four divisions: Labour Relations and Development; Industry; Employment; Industrial Health.

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