TNAG-1444-FCO40-1928-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 92

CONFIDENTIAL

XCCI(86)53 Copy No.

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

26

483

For information

(28.10.86)

HKK

Ou!!

REGISTRY

13 NOV 1986

1.SK OFFICER

REGISTRY

INDEX

Mrkeet be fi. Carl

(PASH

PA

Action Taken

Trade Unions Ordinance

Chapter 332

USE OF TRADE UNION FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

Introduction

On 30 September 1986 after considering memorandum XCC(86)154, the Council advised and the Governor ordered :

2

(a) that the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 1986 should not be introduced, and that the Trade Union Registration (Amendment) Regulations 1986 and the Trade Union Registration (Amendment) (No 2)

2) Regulations 1986 should not be made;

(b)

that the Council be informed of the circumstances in which an agreement

in principle was made to permit Trade Unions to donate funds to candidates for election to the Legislative Council.

The purpose of the present memorandum is to provide the information required in respect of (b) above.

Circumstances of commitment

3

In June 1985, employee representatives on the Labour Advisory Board approached OMELCO about the use of trade union funds in connection with the forthcoming Legislative Council Elections. The representatives were concerned that a trade union was prohibited under section 34 of the Trade Unions Ordinance from applying its funds for political purposes, which would include activities related to elections to the Legislative Council. This section specifically states :

"The funds of a registered trade union shall not be applied either directly or indirectly for any political purpose or be paid or transferred to any person or body of persons in furtherance of any political whether within Οι without the

purpose

Colony."

CONFIDENTIAL