23.
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Page No. 7 of 11 pages
The communist effort in the post-secondary uncommitted field of
education continues : at least eleven local professors, lecturers and
teachers (including five from the Hong Kong University and four from the
Chinese University of Hong Kong attended a Spring Festival Celebration
organised by the communist Hong Kong Federation of Educational Workers.
LABOUR AFFAIRS
24.
The communist Federation of Trade Unions held a General Meeting
of its representatives, the first in 4 years. The chairman's opening speech
included an offer of co-operation with all union organisations regardless of
background. This was clearly directed towards the KMT-backed Trade Union
Council, which had been invited to attend the seminar but had refused. The
chairman presented a four-point action list for 1980, which was moderate in
tone and avoided any suggestion of militancy.
25.
A Supreme Court ruling has upheld the authority of the Hong Kong
Government to dismiss, or suspend without pay, any public servant failing to
perform his duties. This authority had been challenged in the courts by the
Pharmaceutical Staff Association. The Civil Servants General Union has
announced ambitious plans for recruitment and amalgamation in order to
strengthen the negotiating power of civil servants unions over a five
year period.
26.
The Asian Seafarers' Conference, sponsored by the International
Transport Workers Federation (para 20, February report), came to an end
without any resolution having been adopted on the only two proposals submitted.
ITWF officials have however indicated that they will relay to their Secretariat
in London proposals for the establishment of an Asian Seafarers' Regional
Committee and the affiliation of the Amalgamated Union of Seafarers' of
Hong Kong.
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/ para 27.