TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 109

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

p.3.

their

in the commer its muling on 19 January

unions (your reference (8) in C/13/415).

It is of particular interest to note

Stuber

opinion that among other thing s

they consider the "establishment of

strong effective naural unions" as a

vital element in developing opposition

to communist influence.

course

long been clear

It has of LA

that there are many

factors which make it difficult to

establish such unions in prevailing

political conditions in Hong Kong,

but we should be grateful to learn

whether you are disposed to accept

the Special Branch assessment, and

desirable kul

if so how far it seems practicable

to go in strengthening the trade union

movempent outside the communist orbit.

7.

The Special Branch report also Again in team, 17, refers/to the' desirability of impoving

management/staff relations. While

this is an area in which Government' S

influence is naturally limited, the

point does perhaps focus attention

Ex-

on the value of consultation in the

whole field of labour managment.

perience in this country and elsewhere

certainly encourages the belief that

decisions made in the light of full

and free consultation provide a more

sound foundation for policy than dec-

isions arrived at with little or no

regard for opinions which might emerge

in a process of consultation, It is

in the light of these considerations

that we have expressed some concern

at the deletion by the Executive Council

(Amendme from the amending Employment Bi

t Bill put