8 July 1992
Norman Hogg MP House of Commons London
SWLA OAA
HKC
031/18
см
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1A 2AH
From The Minister of State
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Dear Norman
Thank you for your letter of 26 June enclosing one from the chairman of the Federation of Civil Service Unions in Hong Kong.
The relationship between the Hong Kong Government and the Federation of Civil Service Unions is not a matter for the British Government. I think it would be wrong for us to attempt to use the International Labour Organisation Conventions to force Hong Kong to adopt Western European style trade union practices.
There are clear assurances in the Joint Declaration, reproduced in the Basic Law (which will be the constitution for Hong Kong in 1997), that the right to form independent trade unions will continue. Additionally, the Chinese have agreed that the ILO conventions will continue to apply to Hong Kong post 1997.
On the details of Mr Siu's letter I understand the Hong Kong Government's approach is based on the following
considerations:
Freedom of Association (ILO Convention No 87)
The Trade Union Ordinance provides for the formation of trade union federations, but only ones comprising unions whose members are engaged or employed in the same trade, industry or occupation. This is allowed under Article 35 of ILO Constitution. With the consent of the Governor, trade unions and trade union federations may affiliate with international labour organisations.
No barrier is imposed on affiliation of local trade unions with bona fide international labour organisations. However, Hong Kong would wish to ensure that local unions are
/not
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