TNAG-0089-FCO40-125-Social-welfare-working-conditions-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 7

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

CONFIDENTIAL

not clearly provide a statutory 48-hours week in at louat sone

industries, thereby permitting continued international critician,

M

and it may encourage dilatory tactics on the phased programme.

7.

The opployers' associations have not had time to prepare

the details of the counter-proposal. The freezing of hours is a

'

new concept and would require further examination. On the phased

programme, various periods ranging from two to eight years have been

mentioned. They ny bid initially for six years and compromise

at between three and four years.

#.

Labour management relationa

There is a regrettable lack of communication between

management and labour partly because of the reluctance of management

to speak to labour, the inability of labour to organize itself

effectively, and political divisions among trade unions.

On a

rough estimate of a working population of 1.5 millions, the number

of declared members of trade unions is 170,000. These are divided

into 100,000 left-wing, 40,000 right-wing, and 30,000 neutral members.

}

There is very little industry-wide negotiation between trade unions

and management. Disputes are usually dealt with on the basis of

individual factories. Many come to the Labour Department for

settlement through conciliation officers.

2.

Three methods are used for the solution of labour disputes

(1) direct negotiation

(2) voluntary conciliation

(3) voluntary arbitration.

....Most disputes/

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