TNAG-0648-FCO40-796-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1977 — Page 51

3.

-

There are also cautionary political factors against the

TUC's argument.

A British trade unionist could not count on gaining

a response from the communist unions and would encounter the same

problems experienced by Professor Turner arising from the major split in the Hong Kong trade union movement between pro-Peking and pro-Taiwan factions. (The TUC may argue that only a trade unionist

could establish effective contact with the communist trade unions.

We know the TUC have picked up a comment by Professor Hart, one of Professor Turner's two collaborators, that "the majority of trade

unionists in Hong Kong had no interest in talking to people like ourselves".)

However, criticism in Hong Kong of the current state of

industrial relations in the UK is such that official and business

circles in Hong Kong would be opposed to the appointment of a British trade union (and employers') representative, and local co-operation would thus be in jeopardy. Without that co-operation little of practical application is likely to result from the study. A minority report would not be helpful.

An undertaking that the TUC's views on his interim study would be made known to Professor Turner and that the OLCC would be given an early opportunity to study Professor Turner's final report might be helpful. Professor Turner's date of return to the UK is not known but he might be asked to discuss his findings with the TUC when he is again in London.