TNAG-0127-FCO40-163-Illegal-strikes-and-lockouts-ordinance-1969 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

interests of those involved in genuine trade

disputes. The amendments proposed do not touch

on this aspect except to the extent that they

provide machinery for removing doubts in the

minds of those taking part in a strike or lock-

out as to whether or not their actions are

illegal. I consider that more positive measures

are required to fulfil adequately the assurances

implicit in the statement made by the Commissioner

of Labour.

3. In this connection it will be recalled that

as far back as October 1960 (Hong Kong savingram

No. 2081) my predecessor of that date was advised

of the intention of the Hong Kong Government to

revise its Essential Services Legislation in the

light of the model Ordinance commended to all

Colonial Governments at that time. You will

recall that the principal features of this model

Ordinance were that

(a) the right of workers in essential services

to strike would be delayed but not

prohibited;

(b) the penal provisions would apply to all

breaches of contract in defined

circumstances;

and

(c) steps would be taken to ensure that workers

in essential services would be made aware

of their responsibilities by the posting

of notices in premises where they worked.

CONFIDENTIAL

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