TNAG-0531-FCO40-626-Application-of-International-Labour-Convention-to-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 360

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Miss Swan (Gibraltar and General Dept)

APPLICATION OF ILO CONVENTION NO 14 TO HONG KONG

1 Your paragraph 6(i) above.

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY M

- 9 MAY 1975

HKK 5/30

2. I think the question of whether or not we should press ahead with a declaration must depend on the Legal Advisers' advice.

3. There is fairly constant criticism from various sources that Hong Kong is reluctant to implement ILO Conventions and for this reason they are, as you have pointed out, sometimes over anxious to improve their image at the ILO. However, it is obviously in our own interests as well as Hong Kong's that we should be seen to be making every effort to improve Hong Kong's labour legislation. But I agree that we must ensure that the application of any convention would not later prove to be an embarrassment because Hong Kong could not fully comply with the provisions of a convention that we had ratified on their behalf.

4. In this particular case therefore I think we should consult the Legal Advisers and, unless they think there is a strong possibility of adverse criticism from the ILO Committee of Experts we should go ahead and make a declaration on Hong Kong's behalf.

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Beletten

A L Wotton

Hong Kong and Indian - Ocean Department

8th May 1975-

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