(b) Debarment of persons from becoming an officer of a
trade union for a period of 5 years when they have
been convicted of stated offences.
The change is a relaxation of the present law which
imposes permanent debarment, but in view of the
criticism of obscurity levelled against the inclusion
of 'offences against public order', this is being
deleted.
(c) Addition of 'obstruction' to the picketing law.
This was generally opposed in the Labour Advisory Board
and the clause has been dropped.
(d) Picketing of a private residence.
Summary
3.
In overseas conditions, picketing of a worker's home
is likely to cause intimidation. The amendment to the
law does not restrict the right to picket at a place
where a worker both resides and works.
There has been the fullest public discussion of the Bill
in Hong Kong and it has been carefully examined in the Labour
Advisory Board there, on which both the Hong Kong TUC and the
Employers' Federation are represented. Full account has also
been taken of representations received in London and conveyed to
the Hong Kong Government by the Secretary of State. With the
exception of the picketing provision, all other proposed
changes to which there has been any serious objection have been
dropped.
14 DEC 70.