TNAG-0446-FCO40-511-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 82

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The Role of the Trade Unions

31.

It is difficult to envisage the trade union movement playing, in the short term at least, a more effective role than it does at present. Experience of workers' and trade union training and educational activities has so far been discouraging. The two International Trade Secretariats which have tried to help in Hong Kong have made little progress. It is not only the need for more education and training; there is also needed a process of amalgamation to create effective bargaining units from the many small and ineffective unions. Political divisions, however, prevent the restructuring which is necessary if the trade union movement is to win recognition in collective bargaining. In any case, changes of this nature would need to be initiated and carried out by the unions themselves. Government can encourage but cannot interfere.

Social Policy

The

32. Protection of labour is, of course, only one aspect of the Hong Kong Government's social policies. Estimated Government expenditure on social services for 1974-75 is as follows:

Education

Medical and Health

Housing

Social Welfare

Labour

HK$ Mill.

1,069

499

580

206

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Total:

$2,367

8ay # £197 mill.

This is 39% of the total budgetary expenditure.

It is estimated

that Government spending on the social services will rise from 33% of the total budget in 1972/73 to 45% in 1977/78.

Overseas Labour Adviser's Department

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

November 1974

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