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3. In practical terms there is nothing very much that the Hong Kong Government or well-meaning international trade unionist bodies can do about although both have sought (without any real success) to encourage some rationalisation among the non- communist unions. The prospects of bringing communist and non-communist unions together in any form of concerted action are virtually non-existent (there was however a recent report that, for the first time for many years, two such opposed unions were contemplating a joint wage claim) and all such attempts have so far failed. Political differences apart, language (dialectical) differences are a divisive factor; separate unions exist in the same trade based on such differences.. Legislation must maintain the right of freedom of association and cannot go beyond laying down in general terms the aims and objectives for which trade unions can be formed and rules governing their organisation and conduct. The Hong Kong Government could not safely discriminate, either by means of legislation or administrative action, against unions on political grounds or with a view to rationalising the structure of the movement.
4. It might be useful to have the Labour Adviser's views on the "eligibility" requirement that an office- holder must work at the trade or in the plant with whose interests the union is concerned (and to know what comparable provisions exist in this country). For my part. I can see strong political objections to any relaxation of the requirement.
12 December, 1969
b. 5. Carter
(W. S. Carter)
Hong Kong Department
Seen
on return 23/12.
realise the difficulties posited and
by Mi Carter. Would it be war ful
talk about this at your convenience in the
New Year.
Labo Arais
ナ
Mr. N
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