TNAG-0231-FCO40-267-Conditions-of-employment-of-labour-force-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 36

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NOTE OF A MEETING BETWEEN ER, ROYLE AND MR. GIBSON men.

ON 1 OCTOBER 1970

PRESENT:

Eraria

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Mr. A. Royle Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Mr. H. L. Gibson

J

Hosiery and Knitwear Workers's Union

Mr. Foggon

Overseas Labour Adviser

Mr. Laird Hong Kong Department

Mr. Lambert

Hong Kong Department.

Mr. Gibson began by mentioning his two visits to Hong Kong. On the first, he had looked at industrial efficiency, whereas on the second he had examined labour legislation. In a reply to a question by Mr. Royle, he spoke of the abundance of cheap labour available, but expressed his concern about the lack of rapport, as he saw it, between the Hong Kong Government and the Trade

Union and other Labour leaders.

Mr. Royle pointed out that during the 1967 disturbances

some 97 per cent of the population had rallied to the Government in a most remarkable way. Mr. Gibson regarded this as a demon-

stration of an anti-communist feeling rather than a positive display of support for the Government. In any case, he felt that there had been a deterioration in the situation since 1967.

He agreed that criticism of the Government was a healthy sign, but only so long as it was taken into account by the appropriate

authorities. There was still not the improvement in Labour

relations that there could be. Hong Kong workers needed greater

protection and more power in collective bargaining both of which could be provided by an Industrial Relations Bill. Unfortunately,

a helpful climate for negotiations was lacking. The Inter-

national Federation was particularly concerned about this. Both the Labour Department and the Government could do more in this

respect.

-

Mr. Royle replied by welcoming Mr. Gibson's interest. The situation over the past two or three years had improved considerably. Among the steps the Government of Hong Kong were

Confidential

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