CONFIDENTIAL
TALKING POINTS
11. (a) Why did Dr Jenkins miss the opportunity to discuss these
questions with responsible officials on the spot?
(b) Did he meet any of the local trade union leaders (or officials)?
If so, which?
(c) Did he meet the local representatives of the International
Trade Secretariats (see paragraph 5 (d) above ). (They are
of Chinese extraction and are engaged full time on trade
union organisational problems).
(d) On what lines would he prepare legislation to provide for
proper trade union recognition? (The law in this country
has always accepted that the recognition of a trade union
by an employer is primarily a matter between the employer
and the union(s) concerned). However, under the Industrial
Relations Act recognition of a union for bargaining purpose
can be taken to the Commission on Industrial Relations.
Does Mr Jenkins want to ammend the Industrial Relations Act
for adoption in Hong Kong?
(e) Did he encounter the argument so often deployed in Hong Kong
that our record of industrial trouble here makes them very
cautious about what trade unions might do to Hong Kong trade?
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
19 February 1973
CONFIDENTIAL