CONFIDAIAIAL
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DORD GOROMY-ROBERTO'S MELTING LIMT MD GOVIMNOR OF HONG KONG:
2 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 5(a)
LABOUR RELACIONS AND TRADE UNION AFFAIRS
Line to Take
1.
I recommend that the Minister makes the following points
to the Governor:
(a)
There is diaquist in the Labour Movement here about the labour relations situation in Hong Kong. In order to answer the criticism, and to avoid any pressure for some public investigation into this situation, we feel that a low profile academic study would be useful;
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(b) The modalities of such a study remain to be worked
out but we see advantage in the initiative coming from the Governor in order to secure maximum
cooperation from industry in Hong Kong;
(c)
We accept the Governor's view, which Mr Youde in Peking shares, that it would be unwise to raice the question of the Communist trade unions' participation in the processes of government in Hong Kong with th. Chinese authorities and will advise the Secr tary of State accordingly in connection with his visit to Poking next May.
Background
2.
Both the TLC and the NC have cxpressed concern at the relative weakness of the unions in Hong Kong. at meetingo with the Secretary of State they have been sceptical that the explanation lier in the fraganuntation of the unions, resulting partly from the differing political allegiances of the working population and partly from the fragmentation of industry itself. The UC and the NC will not be satisfied until they have been given a full and detailed explanation of what is holding up the development of trade unionicm
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CONFIBRARIAL