TNAG-0648-FCO40-796-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1977 — Page 76

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as the employees' top priority, including better educational provision and housing, improved medical services, pensions and sickness benefits and increased job security. Three quarters of the employees interviewed were prepared to accept an income reduction for particular improvements (page xxvii of Appendix C). (This is an indication that a contributory social security scheme would be acceptable to employees.) Preferences for routes to improvement remained strongly collectivist (para 56) but government legislation was equally preferred with direct work place representations through employee (or consultative) committees, two-thirds preferring one or the other.

Only 12% looked for improvements through collective bargaining (219 at page xxvi of Appendix C). However, a larger proportion supported trade unions in principle: 56% considered that unions have a contribution to make to Hong Kong (237 on page xxxii Appendix C), and 87% said that workers should join unions if the latter did take part in particular activities, their chosen. functions being collective bargaining, dealing with individual grievances, securing workers more say in the government generally, and providing union benefits or social and recreational facilities (Q40 and 241 on page xxxiii Apprendix C).

15. This section of the report concludes (para 58) that there are needs and aspirations among Hong Kong employees which are not met by existing labour organisations whose failure to act as a vehicle for the expression of those needs accounts largely for the negative attitude shown by employees towards them.

The Character of the Hong Kong Labour Movement

16. In paragraphs 59-72 the report shows that Hong Kong trade unions are not trade unions in the western sense but a combination of friendly society and politico-cultural organisations. Collective bargaining and grievance settlement represent a minor part of their activities. In the western sense there are only two effective unions, the Cable and Wireless Non-Expatriate Staff Association and the Professional Teachers' Union.

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/17. Thus