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RECEIVER IN REGISTON 3.51
10 DEC 1975
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LORD COROWY-ROBERTS'S MESTING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG:
2 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 5(c)
Originals: Hk3/5US HKIL 5/25
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TRADE UNION LEGISLATION
Cara(c)
Line to Take
1.
There is gonoral 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 facia, some simplification of the law seems to be possible and that if this is the case, would be wise to do so.
Background
2.
it
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 Secretary of State has asked the Overseas Lebour 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.
1.
relaxation can
It is not yet clear how far this process o be allowed to go because of the well-known political difficulties erising out of the Hong Kong situation. Furthermore, legal protoctin of the membership is still regarded as necessary by the Hong Kong Government. The TUC, in particular, are aware of the importes of
the latter consideration in a colonial context.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
27 November 1975
COFFIDENTIAL
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