TNAG-0649-FCO40-797-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H.-A.-Tu-1977 — Page 65

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for joint discussion with the trade unions to enable agreement to be reached on legislative changes which will, at least, set a framework for trade union act- ivity.

Such joint discussions might take place through an in- stitution such as a "Labour Advisory Council", where trade unionists would be able to make proposals for legislative and other changes having a bearing on in- dustrial relations. Union representation on such a body could be co-ordinated through the two national centres with additional representation from the neutral unions.

But it is not only in the field of industrial relations that the Colony's legislation and statutory provisions are woefully inadequate. A recent report by the Development Research Institute in the Netherlands noted:

"As far as social securities are concerned, government measures are conspicuous by their absence. The most momentous defect is the lack

of legislation, which forces manufacturers to contribute to a social security system for the benefit of employees. No legally prescribed pension scheme exists, no widows and orphans pensions, health, insurance or unemployment

benefit."

There is wide agreement among interested observers that the Colony's social provisions are not in keeping with

what is clearly a highly industrial and economically pro-

ductive and profitable state. The lack of basic social pro- visions on the scale evident in Hong Kong would be justly condemned in any other country.

The Legislative Council has clearly failed to act in the

interests of the vast majority of Hong Kong's workers. However, this is hardly surprising given the highly un- representative nature of the Council. A legislature, whose members are largely appointed from among the elite of the commercial and business communities, is unlikely

to pay much attention to, or even understand, the problems

of workers and their families.

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