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cams for Hick 5
5/17
17 July, 1970.
M.P.B.W. in Hong Kong
We have recently had occasion to look into the question of Trade Union recognition for negotiating purposes in Hong Kong, in connection with moves by the Association of scientific, fechnical and Managerial Staffs to obtain recognition by the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company.
2. In the course of our exchanges with the Hong Kong Government the following statement has been made about the current position there:-
"Recognition of a Union as the sole represent- ative of employees for negotiating purposes is not normal practice in Hong Kong and we do not know of any management which has formally recognized a Trade Union in this way although some management have working arrangements with Unions. For your information a request by the Ministry of Public Building and Works Local Staff Union in Hong Kong to the Director, Ministry of Public Building and Works, Hong Kong for formal recognition was also unsuccessful recently though in replying the Director left the door open for the matter to be further considered at a later date "if practice in the Colony were to move in this direction".
3. It would be helpful to us to have some additional information about the line that has been taken by the Director in Hong Kong, in particular the following:-
(a) Are any subjects accepted as being suitable
for discussion with the Local Staff Union in Hong Kong and if so, what are they;
E.H.A. Stretton, Esq.,
Director of Defence Services,
Ministry of Public Building and Works,
Lambeth Bridge House,
8.E.1.
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/(b)