Trades Union Congress
ed27.10
Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Telephone: 071-636 4030; Fax: 071-636 0632; Telex: 268 328 TUCG
Keith Andrews
International Relations Branch
Employment Department
Steel House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NF
TUC
Your reference:
If replying please quote our reference:
I/MW/SBS/JB
When telephoning please ask for:
Simon Steyne
Date:
October 27 1993
Dear Keith
ILO Article 22 Reports on the
Application of Ratified Conventions in Hong Kong: Convention 151
We have consulted the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions about the applications of ratified ILO Conventions there and they asked us to make the following comments on their behalf. The HKCTU has not received any papers before or after their submission to the ILO from the Labour Advisory Board or from the Hong Kong Labour Department. We have the strong impression that consultation procedures, on Article 22 reports at least, are lacking and I hope that this will be remedied, perhaps in the context of the Government's efforts to lay a solid basis for democratic developments up to and after 1997.
The main concerns of the HKCTU are about the application of Conventions 87, 98 and 151. We are expecting comments from them about Convention 98. With regards to Convention 151 the HKCTU makes the following observations:
1
2
On Part IV (Procedures for determining terms and conditions of employment), the present consultative machinery is undemocratic because all the staff representatives are appointed rather than being elected by unions or the staff concerned. The HKCTU and the Federation of Civil Servants Union have asked that the present system should be replaced by collective bargaining. The Government's view that the machinery has 'worked well' (para 30) is not shared by the HKCTU. The Government is able to make decisions unilaterally.
On Part V (Settlement of disputes), the HKCTU does not believe that the principles of dispute have been applied for the settlement of disputes in the public services. The decision to establish an independent committee of enquiry to resolve a dispute rests with the Governor and he has often been unwilling to do so.
The HKCTU has no strong objections to the reports submitted by the Hong Kong Government about Conventions 2, 12, 14, 17, 23, 29, 42, 90 and 147.
Yours sincerely
Michael Walsh.
Michael Walsh
Secretary
International Department
General Secretary: John Monks
Assistant General Secretary: David Lea, OBE