TNAG-0296-FCO40-332-Legislation-for-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 24

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In 1964, as also in the previous year, there were wide-spread wage-demands by workers or their trade unions in Hong Kong. In practically all cases, settlement was reached as a result of negotiations between employers and workers or their trade unions. Encouragement and, where necessary, assistance were given by the Labour Department in these negotia- tions.

The method of collective bargaining as a means to regulate the terms and conditions of employment is becoming increasingly acceptable to both employers and workers.

Article 5

There are no regular armed forces in Hong Kong other than those belonging to the United Kingdom. Members of these forces are not allowed to join unions by virtue of the regulations appropriate to their particular service. This prohibition covers locally enlisted personnel. The Royal Hong Kong Defence Force is a part-time volunteer force, and its members are not prohibited from being members of unions in connection with their full-time employment, but members of the Police Force are prohibited by section 7 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232).

Article 6

Apart from members of the Police Force, all government servants are free to join trade unions of their own choice, although, to do so, members of the Hawker Control Force, a disciplined body, require to obtain the consent of the head of the government department concerned with its administration and discipline. There are at present 29 unions whose rules restrict membership to government employees. There are also five unions, with government employees as members, which are also open to workers not employed by government.

Questions III and IV

As the convention has not been applied to Hong Kong answers to these questions do not arise.

Question V

Copies of this report have been sent to the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong and the Labour Advisory Board which includes four workers' representatives, and, through the United Kingdom Ministry of Labour, to the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress of Great Britain. No observations concerning the application of this convention in Hong Kong were received from any of these bodies during the period under review.

HONG KONG

October, 1966.

R.M. HETHERINGTON COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR