TNAG-0530-FCO40-625-Trade-union-relations-in-Hong-Kong-industry-1975 — Page 8

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL THE LABOUR PARTY

ID/1975-76/51 INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG ON 4TH DECEMBER 75

Present: I. Mikardo, M.P., S. McCluskie, Governor of Hong Kong, T. McNally,

F. 0. Officials, J. Chrystie.

Discussion

I. Mikardo began by stating that the Party had been concerned with affairs in Hong Kong for a number of reasons. It thought that the Legislative Council was unrepresentative, with its members being drawn from one or two narrow sections of the community, did not represent the colony as a whole, and was seen to be unrepresentative. Mr. Mikardo did not believe that reasonable people

to sit on the LegCc could not be found. He pointed out that the Party was also concerned by Hong Kong's failure to adhere to the I.L.0. Conventions, which Britain had accepted, and that there was only very limited Trade Union rights in Hong Kong. He had been told that practise was not as bad as this, but in that case legislation should be brought into line with existing practice. Mikardo further thought that one should not use the excuse of possible Chinese disapproval for not doing what one did not want to do in the first place.

Mr.

Mr. McCluskie explained that Trade Unions were not allowed fundamental rights to organise, and that in the shipping industry I.L.0. Conventions regard- ing Seamen's Conditions had not been ratified. He was also concerned over who did the negotiations, as he disapproved of a government representative negotia- ting on behalf of seamen. Mr. McCluskie asked what was the Governor's general attitude to Trade Unions and the training of seafarers.

Mr. Hurst from the Foreign Office, said that training was to be done at a Polytechnic in Hong Kong. He thought that the negotiator for the seamen, the Marine Superintendent, had to protect the position of Chinese seamen and that there had been some success as the minimum rate for deep-sea Chinese seamen was $1,020 compared to $540 laid down by the I.L.0. Mr. Hurst stated that this figure was greater than that operating in Singapore or many of Hong Kong's neighbours.

Mr. Mikardo asked why Trade Unions could not amalgamate or have profess- ional paid officials from outside the Union, without the permission of the Registrar.

Mr. Hurst stated that permission for either of the above demands had not been refused since 1967.

The Governor then claimed that he was trying to provide better welfare services in Hong Kong. He wanted advice from broad sections, but as the people on the LegCo are virtual Ministers the requirement is for people of a high calibre, irrespective of income. He had been "edging wider" in recruiting people and in recent years the Legĉo had been more liberal and argumentative. He could not have trade unionists on LegCo, hecause pro-Peking trade unions would boycott it, and Peking would be hostile to pro-KMT trade unions and there were no neutral trade unions worthy of nomination.

The Governor explained that he had created 22 years ago Mutual Aid Committees based on Chinese units to provide new contact between the Governor and the people. He hoped in future to appoint people from these Committees to LegCo because "the democratic process cannot apply in Hong Kong."

/f.......