TNAG-0232-FCO40-268-Legislation-relating-to-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-1970 — Page 88

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Wednesday, October 14, 1970

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HICK 3/14

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COMMENTS ON DRAFT BILL WELCOME

Says Commissioner Of Labour

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The Commissioner of Labour, Mr. R.M. Hetherington, referring to

recent comments on the draft Trade Union Registration (Amendment) Bill

said today that debate on the proposals was exactly what he hoped would

result when he issued the draft bill for general consideration early in

August.

Mr. Hetherington said that he had not received representation from

any of the 325 registered trade unions and only a few comments from members

of the public. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council had indicated

in a letter that it approved of all but four of the 50 clauses and sub

clauses in the bill.

"I publicly announced on September 29 that in seeking comments on

the draft bill I was clearly willing to consider what changes might be

necessary before making recommendations on its final text. I said that I

welcomed comments and I look forward to hearing more at the next meeting

of the Labour Advisory Board which I have called for today," he said.

In Soptember Mr. Hetherington pointed out that the draft bill would

give rank and filo mambors offcctivo control over the conduct of affairs of

their trade unions. Ho acknowledged that the 50 amending clauses and sub

clausos involved an oxtensive and detailed knowledge of the principal ordinance,

He believed that, if these wore thoroughly examined, it would be recognised

that the bill introduced changes which trade unions would find helpful in

the fields of organization and registration.

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