General
"HONG KONG - TOWARDS EFFECTIVE TRADE UNIONISM"
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Last year, the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers prepared a paper, "Hong Kong: The Problem Colony", which was largely intended to highlight the inadequate social and economic conditions in Hong Kong. The paper appealed for a new social deal for the Crown Colony's workers and their families, in order to improve their living standards and enhance their well-being. In this paper, to take the argu- ment further, suggestions are set out which, it is hoped, will merit consideration in order to assist in the develop- ment of effective and representative trade unionism in Hong Kong.
Some changes are taking place in the Colony. More housing is being built; educational facilities are being extended; legislation is proposed to marginally increase compulsory rest days; a week's paid holiday is in the process of being introduced; and the trade union ordinance is being revised which, it is hoped, will remove most of the legal impediments to the formation of trade unions, etc.
It does look as if some improvement is, at last, on the way. But when this is cast against the background of economic pro- sperity which the Colony enjoys, and the social problems Hong Kong faces, the sail-like pace of change is unlikely to make much impact. Hong Kong is not only a Colony where the standard of living for workers is comparatively low in relation to other countries with a similar level of economic development, but informed observers agree that its social wage and other social provisions are, in many cases, inferior to even some of those provided by countries which are economic- ally poorer. It must not be forgotten that there are liter- ally thousands of small and often overcrowded workplaces, where wages and conditions of employment are poorer. Further, because trade unions are weak and ineffective, workers are totally dependent on change being brought about through government action.
While the long overdue changes referred to above are socially desirable, and consequently welcome, it must also be stressed that these changes will not necessarily help to create effec- tive and representative trade unionism at the pace that is necessary. Indeed there are no doubt many in Hong Kong who question the necessity of trade unions even in this modern age. To these the reply must be that trade unions exist to respond to the problems of working people and to articulate their interests and aspirations. In a not dissimilar manner the manufacturing and commercial sectors in the Colony al- ready organise in associations to represent and advance their interests.
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