TNAG-0088-FCO40-124-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 151

Fédération Internationale des Travailleurs des Industries

du Textile et de l'Habillement

PRESIDENT:

JOHN E. NEWTON

VICE-PRESIDENT:

K. BUSCHMANN

Internationale Textil- und Bekleidungsarbeiter-Vereinigung

Internationella Textil- och Beklädnadsarbetarefederationen

INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE AND

GARMENT WORKERS' FEDERATION

120 BAKER STREET, LONDON, W.1

GENERAL SECRETARY: J. GREENHALGH to whom all communications should be addressed

2

TELEPHONE:

WELBECK 1745

TELEGRAM ADDRESS:

WORKINTEX, London, W.1

whose decision would be accepted by either side. I am now informed that on January 10th 1967, the Conciliation Officer of the Labour Department in Hong Kong, suggested that compensation to the ten dismissed workers might be considered as being a compromise solution. In making such an unorthodox suggestion to end a dispute which actually involves the principle of the 'right to strike', I feel that I am justified in questionning the qualifications of the individual holding such a responsible position.

So far as I am personally concerned, I now find myself in a most invidious position, as I successfully persuaded the members of my Executive Committee to defer taking international action against Hong Kong pending the implementation of the words of Mr. Fred Lee; have deferred reporting the sub-standard working conditions to the International Labour Office; and I am now faced with the prospect of having to report that my confidence in the Hong Kong Administration was far too optimistic.

Should the Commissioner of Labour make an Award in favour of the employer to finally end the recent strike, I am afraid that the interpretation that will be placed upon such a decision will be the unvarnished truth of the situation, that to be sacked for taking strike action is the right course in Hong Kong, particularly when rightly or wrongly, the police came to the assistance of the employer in his efforts to break the strike. My unfortunate position is that should I take the necessary international action, it will be the Labour Government in the United Kingdom that will be held responsible for the situation.

Having considered the whole situation over a fairly long period, I have come to the conclusion that the Authorities in Hong Kong, being aware that the colony is not financially dependent upon the U.K., being aware that the Colonial Department is becoming smaller as a result of its own success, and being aware that in any case, British rule in the colony is very precarious, are determined to maintain and even increase the profitability of their enterprises regardless of humane considerations.

I implore you to take the necessary action that will ensure that women and young persons in Hong Kong will enjoy the same hours of work as do those in all other developing countries of the Free World, i.e., a maximum of 48 hours per week.

Yours sincerely

Sreenhalgh

General Secretary.