CONFILLIIIAL
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LORD GOROMIY-ROBERTS'S MELTING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG:
2 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 5(b)
ILO CONVENTIONS
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1.
There is general agreement on this matter with Hong Kong. The point might be made thet, as the Governor knows, Hong Kong's progress in this field is a subject of interest to the NEC, the FUC and indeed to the international labour movement generally. Hong Kong's legislative programme should in our view aim at gradual progress in this field. Increasing conformity to 1LC standards, insofar as local conditions allow, will improve Hong Kong's reputation in some of her principal markets, including the United Kingdom. The ministerial review should be seen in this light.
Background
2.
Hong Kong's record in applying ILO Conventions is good compared to most Asian countries (21 Conventions fully applied, and 10 applied with modifications, as compared, for example, to 21 in Singapore, 18 in the Philippines and 11 in hal ysia).
3.
The NEC consider that Hong Kong should be able to apply many more Conventions.
There is also some feeling in the Office that some gradual progress should be possible if comparatively minor improvements were made to Hong Kong Labour Ordinances. The Secretery of State has asked for an annual review of Hong Kong's performance to be conduct. by Lord voronwy-Roberts. The Governor has welconed this idea.
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Fressure to adhere to I10 Conventions is a potentisl source of friction with Lugo, some of the Members of which rogerd the Orgnication's activities in this regard with unjustifiablo suspicion.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocern Department
27 love.ber 1975
CONFIDENTIAL