TNAG-0510-FCO40-575-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 29

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1

Harold Lewis Esq

1360

839.8866 Ex.215

Assistant General Secretary

International Transport Workers'

Federation

London SW4 OJR

1 March 1974

¡

HONG KONG AMALGAMATED UNION OF SEAFARERS

Before I left for Hong Kong you enquired about the standing of this Union. I have gleaned the following information from the Registrar of Trade Unions in Hong Kong: Membership 5,572; Paid-up membership 2,885 (10% up on last year); monthly subscription HK$ 3; death benefit IIK$ 500; cash assets HK$ 20,000.

I had a short talk with Mr Au-Yeung Ming, who was introduced to me as the Assistant Treasurer but is, I believe, the General Secretary. He is clearly anxious that the Union should re-establish its affiliation to the ITF and pressed me to visit their headquarters. Time, however, does not permit this.

As you might expect, the communist Seamen's Union is much more strongly established, with a paid-up membership of 18,824 and total assets of HK$ 724,000 in cash and property.

There are two committees concerned with seamen's affairs in Hong Kong and it may be of use to you to have the following details:-

(a) Seamen's Recruiting Advisory Board (SRAB)

The SRAB is appointed in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Recruting of Seamen) Ordinance and comprises: -

Seamen's Recruiting Authority (D of M)

Commissioner of Labour, or the Deputy Commissioner of Labour or

an Assistant Commissioner of Labour

Chairman

Superintendent SRO

Three persons appointed by the Governor, none of whom shall be in the service of the Government

Members

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/(b)