§ Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what 98W provisions are made by the Government of Hong Kong regarding health, welfare and safety at work, and for the payment of workers in cases of industrial injury.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIndustrial health, safety and welfare provisions are enforced by law. A Labour Inspectorate of forty-one carries out frequent inspections to ensure that machinery is fenced, work places are safe and not overcrowded, that ventilation, lighting, drainage and sanitation accord with statutory standards, that the statutory working hours of women and young persons are not exceeded and that children are not employed in any industrial undertaking. The provision of first-aid equipment and drinking water is compulsory in all factories, as are dining or rest rooms in factories where women or young persons are employed on shift work between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Many concerns provide welfare facilities in excess of their statutory obligations. The Industrial Health Officer and his staff investigate hazards and diseases, supervise industrial medical services and organise first aid classes for workers. In addition, all industrial accidents and dangerous occurrences have to be reported to the Labour Department for investigation and preventive action as necessary.
The Workmen's Compensation Ordinance provides for compensation for all manual workers and non-manual workers earning less than £525 a year, in the event of injury arising out of and in the course of employment and causing death, permanent incapacity or absence from work in excess of three days.