CO129-596-1 Strikes 9-1-1948 - 5-1-1950 — Page 38

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Orig. on 54228/1/49.

See.

EXTRACT FROM HONG KONG, SAVINGRAM NO.5 TO THE

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES DATED 6TH JANJARY

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In the field of labour the situation remains fairly quiet, but the taxi strike, which has lasted for some three months, gives cause for certain anxiety. The striking drivers have for the most part been replaced by new ones, and this has led to considerable resentment against the employers. There is a possibility that the Taxi Drivers Union, a member of the Left Wing "Federation", may stage a sympathetic strike which might be tantamount to a general strike, since so many of the essential services would be involved. The advent of Chinese New Year makes such action unlikely at present. Meanwhile, as approval has now been given by you, it is proposed to resuscitate the Illegal Strikes and Lock-up Ordinance, which was abrogated after the war. Such action is taken reluctantly, but is necessitated by the peculiar nature of the labour problems in Hong Kong.

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