TNAG-1520-FCO40-2081-Employment-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 71

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INTRODUCTION

5

been concerned with special problems existing particularly in dependent territories. In not a few cases the Conference has fixed higher standards for dependent territories than those laid down in earlier general Conventions. The section, for example, which is concerned with hours of work, also lays down the principle of an annual holiday with pay of 12 working days, whereas the general Convention provides for 6. In not a few cases matters which have not been covered in any other international labour decision have been dealt with. Lastly, in some notatie cases, such as collective bargaining and trade union organisation. the Conference has elabo- rated principles for dependent territories which are in advance of those laid down in positive form for all countries.

The Recommendations were in short drafted for the same reasons that made Chapter XI an inevitable part of the United Nations Charter, establishing the obligation of metropolitan States as a sacred trust to ensure the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples of non-self-governing ter- ritories. As new world conditions arise, special attention may usefully be directed to consideration of the problems of peoples throughout the world whose indigenous economy is changing as a result of contact with world economies. The dependent territories, however, will, it may be anticipated, achieve self-government or a full share in the life of the metropolitan countries, and then it will be the territories which will take over full responsibility for their own social policy as a result c the political, economic, social and educational advancement of their peoples. Yet even the rapid and universal attainment of this position by depen- dent territories will not lessen the importance of the principles in the social field which the Conference has laid down or will have laid down stressing the present obligations of the modern world towards them.

The second consideration to be mentioned in this Introduction will become of particular importance in the latter phases of the development anticipated above. If mezopolitan States assume special responsibilities in respect of conditions within dependent territories, will there not be a tendency, as these territories grow more self-conscious, for their leaders to regard the obligations assumed on their behalf as a mark of a temporary inferior status? This is a substantial problem of national psychology. In some instances it may have serious repercussions. If interests opposed to the enforcement of social obligations assumed by a metropolitan State are able to mobilise the forces of growing national self-con- sciousness in opposition to these obligations. the gap will widen