scope under existing law in South Africa for effectively organised African trade unions, since multi-racial unions were not permitted to be formed, to enter into negotiations with employers. The TUC and other national trade union centres in Europe, North America and elsewhere were now actively considering as part of their general policies in regard to South Africa - ways of helping in the process of developing trade unions for African workers and of encouraging employers to recognise them for collective bargaining purposes.
It was agreed that trade union organisations in the Commonwealth should continue to exchange views and information on activities they might undertake in regard to South Africa.
(294)
GIBRALTAR
In October the General Council were informed that talks had taken place between representatives of the British and Spanish governments in regard to Gibraltar, and that political parties and trade unions there had expressed their anxiety at the secrecy of the talks, which they considered might lead to a settlement on undesirable terms.
It was reported that the Spanish Foreign Minister had called for a transfer of sovereignty over Gibraltar, the Spanish Government pledging itself to guarantee, with the UN, the legislative, administrative, and financial autonomy of the people of Gibraltar. It was stated that the British Government had taken the position that they would not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. The General Council agreed to keep the situation in regard to Gibraltar under review.
(295) HONG KONG
In November 1973 and again February 1974 various matters were brought to the attention of the General Council regarding the situation in Hong Kong, including conditions of work and wages in the textile and other industries, the alleged illegal use of child labour, and the limited extent of trade union organisation, which, it was said, contributed to poor living and working conditions. In March it was decided to make further enquiries regarding conditions in the textile and clothing industries, which contributed substantially to Hong Kong exports and employment, and in July the General Council considered the labour and trade union situation in Hong Kong generally. They noted factors working against trade union organisation. including existing legislation, political divisions between trade unions, and relatively intractable adverse social factors, and they took the view that the extent to which working people or their representatives were able to participate in the government of the Colony was unsatisfactory. The standards set by existing legislation on employment were low, especially for children, and legislation providing for minimum wage machinery was inoperative, while it was likely that wages could be increased substantially in some industries, which were fully competitive on the world market. The General Council decided to raise within the Overseas Labour Consultative Committee matters which concerned the Government of Hong Kong, and
210
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