·4
however that he would be prepared to discuss general conditions
of employment, such as facilities for staff, working conditions,
canteens, medical benefits and other fringe matters. This is
not a very major concession and Mr. Jenkins regards it as
thoroughly unsatisfactory, but at least this is an opportunity
"to put a foot in the door" which the union ought not to throw
away. (111-judged actions by union officials do not help: a
Branch Secretary, Becker, was dismissed by HAECO following his
attempt to organise a boycott of United Arab Airlines as a
protest against the Middle East hijackings.)
Representations by British TUC
7.
There was a discussion about Hong Kong's trades union law
at a meeting of the Overseas Labour Consultative Committee held
on 30 October (both the TUC and CBI are represented on this
Committee, which sat under the Chairmanship of Lord Lothian).
A meeting between FCO officials and TUC officials is being
arranged. If the delegation should refer to the new trades
union legislation in Hong Kong (the Trades Union Registration
(Amendment) Bill), it could be suggested that any views they may
have should be conveyed to the TUC so that they can be taken
into account in the proposed discussions.
Hong Kong Department
11 December. 1970.