TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 81

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The Shop Floor

So far, we have been concerned with the national scene. It is also very necessary to explore what forms of co-operation could be established on the shop floor. This is important, if day-to-day problems of workers are to be dealt with ade- quately.

Two requirements spring to mind. First is the need for trade union branches to be able to meet on a fairly regular basis. Here working conditions in the Colony have to be taken into account, for example, the long hours worked are less than conducive to trade union activity that requires the spending of some of the workers' already limited free time. Secondly, trade unions should employ full-time officials to deal with day-to-day issues. Where financial difficulty arises, in- dividuals could be engaged to serve a number of unions or a number of branches of different unions. Clearly defined pro- cedures that can easily be understood by ordinary workers would have to be adopted where there is servicing of trade unions on a joint or collective basis.

LAB

Legislation

To achieve the objectives set out above will require consider- able changes in existing industrial relations legislation. At the same time it must be recognised that legislation alone cannot build effective trade unionism. It is clear that the government will have to make provision 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 activity.

Such joint discussions might take place through an institution such as a "Labour Advisory Council", where trade unionists 'would be able to make proposals for legislative and other

changes having a bearing on industrial relations. Union re- presentation 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 woe- 1fully inadequate. A recent report by the Development Research

Institute in the Netherlands noted:

"As far as social securities are concerned, govern- ment measures are conspicuous by their absence. The most momentous defect is the lack of legis- lation, 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."

Continued/...