TNAG-0232-FCO40-268-Legislation-relating-to-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-1970 — Page 105

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Tuesday, September 29, 1970

To protect ordinary members of a union against control of the

union falling into the hands of persons with no legitimate intorest in tho

union's activities, the bill provides that important decisions shall be

taken by only those members who are entitled to vote on them and that every

union shall have a common seal and shall provide in its rules for its proper

use.

It also provides that no one shall be refused mombership solely on

the grounds that he is casually or seasonally employed in a particular trade.

Another clause debars from office anyone convicted of any of a number

of types of offence during the period of five years from the date of conviction.

This provision has been widened to include people convicted of crimes

involving violence or against public order.

Relaxation Of Disqualification

At present, disqualification from office lasts for life and the

reduction of the period to the five years proposed is a relaxation in this

respect.

The procedure for the registration of original or new trade union

rules is much simplified, and the formation of temporary trade unions for

the purpose of a single trade dispute is made easier.

A trade union may at present appeal to a judge of the Supreme Court

against a decision to cancel a registration or a refusal to register, to

chango a name, or to consent to amalgamation. A new right of appeal to the

Full Court is introduced.

The Registrar will not be permitted to refuse to register a new

union solely on the grounds that its members include members of an old de-

registered union.

/The powers..

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