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LORD CORON„Y-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH ME GOVERNOR OF THONG KONG:
2 D.OBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 5(c)
TRADE UNION LEGISLATION
Ling to Take
1.
There is general agreement on this subject. A point which could be made is that, while we recognise that some of the restrictions incorporated in the law are necessary (particularly with the different political allegiances of the trade unions and the interests of members in mind), prima facie, some simplification of the law seems to be possible and that if this is the case, it would be wise to do so.
Background
2.
The NEC and the TUC have argued that one of the reasons for the weakness of the Hong Kong trade unions lies in certain provisions of the Trade Unions Ordinance which regulate, for example, analganations and federations of unions and the appointment of paid officiels. Hong Kong practice is, in fact, sufficiently liberal to suggest that some legal provisions might be capable of relaxation. The Decretary of State has asked the Overseas Labour Adviser to look into this possibility with the Labour Commissioner.
3.
The Governor has said that he is in favour of simplifying labour legislation, if possible, and would welcome advice.
It is not yet clear how far this process o relaxetion cen be allowed to go because of the well-known political difficulties erising out of the Hong Kong sivuation. Furthermore, legal protectic of the membership is still regarded as necessary by the Hong Kong Government. The UC, in particular, are aware of the import nea of
the latter consideration in a colonial context.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
27 November 1975
CONFIDANTİ.L