CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 40

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devote their very considerable ingenuity to getting round that legislation. It seems to me far better to insist on the use of the secret ballot in respect of three or four major issues only and to hope that as unions come to make use of this method the members will gradually recognise its value and will themselves demand that it should be extended to other decisions. I have not yet fully made up my mind on the precise decisions which I consider should be determined by secret ballot.

Paras. 39-41.

Limitations on Persons who may become Officials.

I agree generally. This is already covered by our Trade Union and Trade Disputes Ordinance.

Paras. 42-44. Collective Bargaining & Wage-fixing.

I fully agree with all that is said in these paragraphs as an aim of policy. At present the great difficulty about instituting Joint Industrial Councils and Wages Councils in the Colony is that the workers' representatives on many of these Councils would in fact be members of politically-dominated unions in whom the employers have no confidence whatsoever and with whom they have found it impossible to conduct negotiations. I do not believe that, at the moment, the majority of employers would be prepared to accept the institution of statutory wage-fixing bodies if workers representa- tion on such bodies came from the leaders of certain unions. I do not see how the Government can force employers to participate in schemes of this kind against their will.

Paras. 45-46.

Intimidation & Picketing.

Control of peaceful picketing in Hong Kong is governed by the Illegal Strikes and Lock-outs Ordinance, 1927, which at the moment is re-enacted from year to year.

I consider that it is probably best left under that Ordinance for the time being, but if we decide to cease re-enacting that Ordinance, then consideration should be given to the question as to whether or not the clauses relating to peaceful picketing should be trans- ferred to other legislation.

Paras. 47-52.

this year.

Para. 53.

value.

Extension of Trade Union Activities.

I agree generally.

We are making a start on trade union education

Handbook on Trade Unionism.

A publication of this nature would be of great

سناك ا

(B. Hawkins)

Commissioner of Labour.

Hong Kong, 24th August, 1951.

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