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Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill

The Government does not support the Member's Bill introduced into the Legislative Council tonight (Wednesday) by Legislative Councillor Mr Lee Cheuk- yan which seeks to amend the Trade Unions Ordinance.

A spokesman for the Education and Manpower Branch said today that the bill was not conducive to the healthy development of trade union movement in Hong Kong.

"For example, the bill allows the use of funds of a trade union for political purpose. This is contrary to the objective of a trade union," the spokesman said.

Another provision of the bill seeks to repeal the present requirement of the Governor's approval for a trade union to be a member of trade unions outside Hong Kong.

The spokesman pointed out that the requirement to obtain the Governor's consent for affiliation with overseas unions or organisations "is a necessary safeguard to prevent local trade unions from being unduly influenced or controlled by overseas political bodies".

"However, the Government has been flexible in the exercise of power and has not refused any past application from local trade unions for affiliation with overseas unions or organisations."

The spokesman said that as a matter of principle, the Government would only consider proposed amendments to labour legislation if they had been discussed by the Labour Advisory Board.

"The Board has not been consulted on this bill," he added.

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