TNAG-0784-FCO40-988-Application-of-international-labour-conventions-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 154

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attached to the UK workers' delegation, but the Hong Kong union

It is, I suppose, indicated that they did not want to participate. quite possible that the industrial unions would similarly decline an invitation from the TUC to nominate a representative to attend the 1978 Conference. It would nevertheless be important, in our view, for an invitation to be extended to the trade unions and not to the employers alone.

I attach a note giving the main items on the Conference agenda this year.

4.

5.

I should be interested to know if you think this is an idea worth pursuing. If you do, we shall need to sound out the CBI and the TUC, to see if they would be agreeable to the attachment of Hong Kong representatives, before any approach is made to the Hong Kong

You will no doubt also wish to consider employers and trade unions.

whether it would be preferable for an approach to the latter to be made by your Department or whether you would be content for the CBI and the TUC to contact direct the organisations which you indicate as being the "most representative of employers and work- people".

6. This is perhaps something we might conveniently discuss during my visit to Hong Kong this month.

Blind copy to Mr Thompson HKGD

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HRG Hurst

Overseas Labour Adviser

PR