TNAG-0234-FCO40-270-Labour-disputes-and-trade-unions-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 33

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr. Kinnear, HKD

Recognition of Trade Unions in Hong Kong.

You will recall that in connection with the civil aviation case I made enquiries from the MPBW about the extent to which they "recognise" trade unions in Hong Kong. With some difficulty I have been able to extract from the MPBW a copy of a letter dated 4 September which sets out the present situation, which is largely in line with the procedure followed by the Hong Kong Government. Apparently the Hong Kong Government arrangements do not cover industrial workers (according to the local MPBW representative) so that since the MPBW union covers industrial workers as well as others, recog- nition of that union "would mean a move ahead of Hong Kong Government practice".

2.

I think we need to look carefully at all this in relation to the general question of trade union development in Hong Kong, since the extent to which the Hong Kong Government and overseas elements of UK Government Departments give recognition to trade unions in Hong Kong must have an important effect on the attitude of the local private employer.

(G. Foggon)

11 November, 1970

MENTIAL