TNAG-2673-FCO40-3870-Hong-Kong-defence-issues-Internal-Security-Guide-(ISG)-1993 — Page 358

INTRODUCTION

CONFIDENTIAL

15

During a civil emergency, the Commissioner for Labour will :

(a) advise Government on labour policy

generally;

(b)

(c)

attempt to resolve, by conciliation or by initiating the procedures of arbitration or board of enquiry as laid down in the Labour Relations Ordinance, labour disputes (especially those involving the essential services);

and

recommend to management (and to the GSECC) the measures necessary to retain loyal staff at work.

TRADE UNIONS IN HONG KONG

2.

The workers' unions are divided on political lines, as well as on an industrial/trade basis, into three main groups

those affiliated to the communist-aligned Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), those allied to the pro-Taiwan Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Unions Council (TUC) and those which are neutral and independent.

A number of these politically neutral and independent workers' unions have joined the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) which claims to represent the interests of independent unions along with two other groups, namely, the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions and the Joint Organisation of Unions, Hong Kong.

3.

As at 31 December 1991, the total workers' trade union membership was 486,961 out of a total workforce of more than 2.8 million. The FTU is the

members.

largest

group

with

181,498

CONFIDENTIAL