TNAG-0530-FCO40-625-Trade-union-relations-in-Hong-Kong-industry-1975 — Page 13

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7. Mr Jones said his delegation would appreciate this general review and would wish to thank Mr Callaghan. He was glad of the emphasis given to British trade and exports. British trade unionists were only too well aware of the need to promote British commercial activities and were willing to play their part. Another of their aims was to develop links with trade unions in other countries as a means of improving not only trade relations but also international understanding. He did not wish to go into details but was glad that HMG had adopted a progressive attitude. At this stage he did not want to express the TUC's views on matters such as the Sino-Soviet dispute, though Mr Callaghan interjected to say he would very much like to have those views. Mr Jones thought it might be profitable to discuss this problem with the Secretary of State when he returned from his visit to China.

The United States' Notice of Withdrawal from the ILO

8. Mr Jones referred to the TUC's concern and hoped that HMG would do everything in its power to influence the United States to remain a member. The TUC appreciated the circumstances of the United States' complaints against the Organisation but their departure would be a tragedy in the sense that it would so significantly weaken the ILO. Mr Callaghan said he was wholly at one in recog- nising the considerable contribution made by the ILO to improving labour standards and labour relations throughout the world. But he considered that many of the ILO's recent activities had not been related to its major tasks. Nevertheless he did not agree with the present American attitude since merely to give notice of withdrawal would not reverse the trends of which they were complaining. He hoped the TUC would continue to press the AFL-CIO to modify its present critical attitude. He had put out delicate feelers on what HMG might do vis à vis the US but had been told that any such action at the present time was not welcome. He had decided, therefore, not to make a formal approach to the United States Government but he had discussed informally with senior officials the situation created by the United States' notice of withdrawal and would take any future opportunities to continue such discussions. In brief, a formal demarche would be unlikely to accomplish much but he hoped shortly to be meeting Dr Kissinger and would see what could be done. Mr Jones commented that the TUC were finding similar difficulties in seeking to influence the AFL-CIO. The TUC, for example, could not support the AFL-CIO in all their criticisms of the ILO; as, for example, the American view that no senior positions in the Organisation should be held by Eastern Europeans. The TUC would continue, however, to express concern to the AFL-CIO over the effects of United States' withdrawal and would seek to induce a change of heart by persuasion. On the seating of the PLO at the recent International Labour Conference, the TUC had taken the view that the PLO is not a state and had therefore opposed their being seated. The AFL-CIO could not therefore validly criticise the TUC on this score even though the voting went against us.

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/Israel