9
ON
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
PROVISION FOR ELECTORAL FUNDING
THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF FUNDING FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID SECTION 34 OF TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE PROHIBITED THE USE OF TRADE UNION FUNDS POLITICAL PURPOSES.
FOR
THE FOR
IN 1985, WHEN EMPLOYEE TRADE UNIONS WERE INCLUDED AS "ELECTORS" IN THE LABOUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MANY UNION LEADERS HAD ASKED FOR THIS PROHIBITION TO BE RELAXED.
"FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE THEN UMELCO, WE GAVE A COMMITMENT TO EXCLUDE FROM THE PROHIBITION DONATIONS TO CANDIDATES STANDING IN ANY CONSTITUENCY ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETURNIN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"SUBSEQUENTLY, A GROUP OF UNION LEADERS SUGGESTED THAT THE RELAXATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW THE USE OF UNION FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS.
"WE NOW THEREFORE PROPOSE TO AMEND THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE TO ALLOW UNIONS TO USE THEIR FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES IN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"ELECTORAL PURPOSES INCLUDE THE USE OF UNION FUNDS TO PAY ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY A CANDIDATE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS CANDIDATURE OR ELECTION; TO HOLD ANY MEETING; TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE ANY LITERATURE OR DOCUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF A CANAIDATE; AND ΤΟ REGISTER ELECTORS OR TO SELECT THE CANDIDATE.
"HOWEVER, SUCH EXPENDITURE WILL BE SUBJECT ΤΟ THE LIMITS ON ELECTION EXPENSES UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS, THE BILL STIPULATED THAT A UNION MUST SEEK TILE APPROVAL OF ITS MEMBERS BY SECRET BALLOT BEFORE MONEY COULD
BE SPENT FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES.
THIS WAS PROVIDED FOR BY THE NEW SECTION 33A, WHICH REQUIRED A UNION TO OBTAIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE MAJORITY OF ITS VOTING MEMBERS BY SECRET BALLOT BEFORE IT SET UP AN ELECTORAL FUND FROM WHICH ELECTORAL EXPENSES MIGHT BE PAID.
NO ONE IS
OF
"CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND ARE TO BE VOLUNTARY AND TO BE PREJUDICED IN HIS RIGHT TO JOIN, OR CONTINUE TO BE, A MEMBER A UNION BECAUSE OF HIS REFUSAL TO CONTRIBUTE," HE SAID.
/"ALTERNATIVELY, IF
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