ARKS/3
Fara(c)
LORD GOROMY-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG:
2 DECEMBER 1975
BRIEF NO. 5(b)
(69)
64
PROTIVER IN
PE
6.51
!
10 DECI9/5
ILO CONVENTIONS
Line to Take
1.
There is general agreement on this matter with Hong Kong. The point might be made that, as the Governor knows, Hong Kong's progress in this field is a subject of interest to the NEC, the TUC and indeed to the international labour movement generally. long Kong's legislative programme should in our view aim at gradual progress in this field. Increasing conformity to 110 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 halaysia).
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 Secretary of State has asked for an annual review of Hong Kong's performance to be conducted by Lord Goronwy-Roberts. The Governor has welcomed this idea.
L.
Pressure to adhere to ILO Conventions is a potenti-l source of friction with Lego, some of the lienbers of which regard the Organisation's activities in this regard with unjustifiable suspicion.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocern Department
27 November 1975
CONFIDENTIAL,