TNAG-0103-FCO40-139-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-Lord-Shepherd-1967 — Page 37

CONFID IITIAL

BRIET NO. 8

VISIT OF MINISTER OF STANG FOR COMONTALEH ANTAIRS

TO NON KORE

OCTOBER 1967.

Labour Rolations

!

The Labour Advisor has set out his suggestions on the matters to be raised in Hong Kong in the attached note and he will proparo additional

briefs in Hong Kong.

2. There is much neod to show some solid progress on this front. If, from now on, confrontation develops into a Communist campaign by non- violent methods to gain the support of "the mansos", there is a dangor (already noted in Hong Kong) that issues of labour conditions and rolations may be used to this end by the Commuuiat unions. Equally important is the nood to meet Parliamentary pressure which has been sustained, particularly on the issue of hours of work of women and young persons (the Labour Advisor has a copy of Mr. Thornton's Question on this for Answer on 24th Octobor, with a view to the reply boing drafted in Hong Kong in the light of discussions there). There is finally the desirability of improving Hơng Kong's image abroad as a user of low-cost if not "sweatod" labour, in the context of its trading relations.

3. There have been reports of a changed attitude among employers in Hong Kong (one might doubt, not unreasonably, whether it oxtonds to the Chihose Manufacturers Association). If there is, clearly the Hong Kong Government should take early advantage of it. But whether tho atmosphere for some advance is better or not, it seems essential that the Government should take the initiative (no was suggostod recently, but apparently without result, in the case of hours of work of women and young persons),

4. The department has the following comments on the Labour Advisor's

note:TM

Donartment of Labours While fully endorsing the need for strengthoning the dopartment at professional levol, we considor that in the foreseeable future the Labour Department will need close political direction and that for some time to come this will require the appointment of an Administrativo Officor as

Commissioner.

Industrial Relations: It is difficult to see how there can be any improvomont. In the past the left-wing unions, mainly political in their objectives, have rarely taken industrial action and have rofused any co-operation with right-wing and indopondont unions.

/Such

CONFIDENTIAL