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interests of those involved in genuine trade
disputes. The amendments proposed do not touch
on this aspect except to the extent that they
provide machinery for removing doubts in the
minds of those taking part in a strike or lock-
out as to whether or not their actions are
illegal. I consider that more positive measures
are required to fulfil adequately the assurances
implicit in the statement made by the Commissioner
of Labour.
3. In this connection it will be recalled that
as far back as October 1960 (Hong Kong savingram
No. 2081) my predecessor of that date was advised
of the intention of the Hong Kong Government to
revise its Essential Services Legislation in the
light of the model Ordinance commended to all
Colonial Governments at that time. You will
recall that the principal features of this model
Ordinance were that
(a) the right of workers in essential services
to strike would be delayed but not
prohibited;
(b) the penal provisions would apply to all
breaches of contract in defined
circumstances;
and
(c) steps would be taken to ensure that workers
in essential services would be made aware
of their responsibilities by the posting
of notices in premises where they worked.
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