29
:
62.
FTU unions have apparently not been averse to taking a more active
part if a gain of membership might result from their appearance; but
they have certainly not been anxious to assume a role of militant
leadership in such cases. Both employers and Labour Department officials
who have dealt with FTU union officers speak of them as "reasonable".
And it was remarkable, for instance, that in the 1974 recession (when in
view of the obvious concern of Hong Kong workers with security, and
their evident willingness to take spontaneous action in cases of
dismissal or redundancy, an active union campaign might have produced
a considerable gain in membership and influence) the FTU undertook no
such initiative. On the contrary, FTU unions are reported to have
organised "consolation meetings" for workers dismissed, and to have
themselves made compensation payments although unemployment benefits
are not generally provided in their rules.
63.
Nor has the FTU been at all militant on the wider field of
legislative and social provision; I gather, for instance that, although
the FTU refuses to entertain any official relations with the Government,
the Left press has not been critical, in the recent public controversy
over legislation to introduce paid annual holidays and reduce juvenile
overtime, of the new provisions as inadequate: but has published letters
defending them. It is especially remarkable that although the major
leaders of the Left and Right union groups maintain public attitudes of
mutual hostility, and their philosophies and associations are clearly
such that no arrangement between them is feasible, there is no evidence
of significant competition - for instance, in wage or other demands - at
the industry and enterprise level. Indeed, there is clearly a good deal
of mutual tolerance at the workplace (the extent of dual membership has
already been noted); and even in cases where a Left union has a greater
membership than a Right union, but -- as is likely to be normal in such
situations the latter is "recognised" to the extent that managements
deal with unions at all, it seems unusual for the Left to challenge the
position.
64. There are several possible explanations of the industrial
quiescence of the FTU group; of which, the most likely is that China
earns a very large proportion (there are varying estimates) of foreign
currency which is vital for the acquisition of equipment and materials
through Hong Kong, and does not encourage its subordinate union group to
action which may disturb that flow. Equally, membership of an FTU union
/is