TNAG-0443-FCO40-508-Parliamentary-Question-regarding-visit-of-James-Callaghan--S-1974 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

GRPS 243

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 200314Z

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.52

20 MAR 1974

28/10 HKK 3/5+8/1

LAST

ker.

NEXT

REF

6

TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 339 OF 20TH MARCH, 1974, INFO ROUTINE

HONGAID.

YOUR TELNO 294

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS.

CONVENTION NO. 98 RIGHT TO ORGANISE AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

THERE IS NO LEGISLATION OTHER THAN THE PRESENT TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE ITSELF APPLYING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CONVENTION BUT

THE PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN THE CONVENTION ARE ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT

AS AIMS OF POLICY AND ARE ENFORCED, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, BY ADMINI-

STRATIVE ACTION IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

2.

*

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO2) BILL 1974 WHICH AIMS TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST ACTS OF ANTI-UNION DISCRIMINATION IS BEING CONSIDERED AND, IF PASSED INTO LAW AS NOW DRAFTED, SHOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO MEET MOST OF HER OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS CONVENTION.

3. IT IS HOPED TO BE ABLE TO RE-SUBMIT THIS BILL TO EX.CO. SHORTLY IN THE LIGHT OF FOGGON'S ADVICE. THE OUTCOME IS UNCERTAIN AND WE FEAR THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN LONDON IN THE

TERMS YOU NOW PROPOSE COULD FURTHER PREJUDICE OUR CHANCES OF

OBTAINING THE NECESSARY APPROVAL. WE SHOULD THEREFORE PREFER THAT

YOU STICK TO THE ORIGINAL WORDING AT PARA. 1(D) OF YOUR TELNO 287.

FCQ PASS TO KONGAID.

MACLEHOSE

FILES HWIOD

OLA

PS/ FIR ROBERTS

MR YOUDE

SIR D WATSON

CONFIDENTIAL