TNAG-0646-FCO40-794-Application-of-international-labour-conventions-to-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 24

CODE 18 - 77

Reference

rather wider than those mentioned by Hong Kong.

The Convention was widely considered over-ambitious at the time of its adoption and none of the British non-metropolitan territories has been able to apply it. Its revision is now being considered by the ILO in the wake of the 1976 World Employment Conference.

CONVENTION 135

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WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES

CONVENTION 140 PAID EDUCATIONAL LEAVE

These are recent Conventions on which declarations were made in 1975 and 1976 respectively. The position has not altered since then. Progress on No. 135 will probably depend on the evolution of trade unionism in Hong Kong, while the application of No. 140 would require a policy decision by the Government which they apparently do not at present contemplate. Copies of the texts of these Conventions are attached.

CONVENTION 99 MINIMUM WAGE-FIXING MACHINERY (AGRICULTURE)

Hong Kong's argument is that because the agricultural workers represent a very small proportion (2.2% in March 1977) of the total work-force, and that of these the majority are self-employed, or members of their employer's family, it is not worthwhile to create wage-fixing machinery in this sector. Whether Hong Kong should never- theless be pressed to do so is a question of policy.