TNAG-0230-FCO40-266-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 19

CONFIDENTIAL

Record of Meeting between Lord Shepherd

and Officials of Textile Trade Unions

on 17 March, 1970

хо

IN ATTENDANCE

Lord Shepherd

in Chair

Mr. A. L. Gibson, Hosiery and Knitwear Workers' Union

Mr. P. Pendergast, Hosiery and Knitwear Workers' Union Mr. J. Greenhalgh, International Textile and Garment

Workers' Federation

Mr. J. Milhench, United Textile Factory Workers'

Association

Mr. T. Matthews, Union of Tailor and Garment Workers Mr. Laird, Hong Kong Department

Mr. Foggon, Overseas Labour Adviser

Mr. Spendlove, Hong Kong Department

The Minister invited Mr. Gibson and his colleagues to speak on their recent visit to the Far East.

Mr. Gibson said he had been "appalled at the labour legislation and conditions of work for textile workers" in Hong Kong. Much of the difficulty in improving matters stemmed from governmental paternalism and a failure by the Hong Kong Government to encourage trade union growth. "Everything was put in the way of effective labour organisation". Police "shoved people" away from meetings; employees who contested wages were obliged to put their complaints in writing; the "Factory Legislation Department" did not impress them at all. General conditions were "deplorable" and would never be tolerated in the West. He complained that Mr. Leong had not been allowed to accompany the delegation on their visits to factories - apparently because his presence might upset employers.

Mr. Pendergast reiterated points made by Mr. Gibson, but commented that Mr. Gibson had put the issues mildly. The UK Trade Unions were very concerned with the problem of low cost imports. "The Government" was not playing the game and could do much more to

encourage free trade unions in Hong Kong.

COMMEN

NTIAL

/Mr. Greenhalgh