ENG-1956 — Page 67

OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANIZATION

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were damaged and several of their members were killed or injured. As was stated in the recently published Report on the Riots, it appears that in Tsuen Wan in particular officials and members of a small number of right-wing unions were involved with triad society members and gangsters in the attacks.

The independent unions are few and mostly small in membership, and several of them are undecided as to where their interests should lie. Some of them, however, such as those for teachers and certain white collar workers, have shown signs of genuine trade union activity in the interests of their members.

Trade union educational work organized by the trade union section of the Labour Department, whilst not entirely effec- tive-indeed, it can never be so unless properly organized by the trade union movement itself,-made progress, parti- cularly concerning trade union accountancy. In conjunction with the Education Department a series of lectures and discussions on trade union subjects were also organized for teachers of civics to give them background knowledge of the trade union movement. In addition, during the year six series of classes on different subjects were held, which were attended by a total of just over 250 members from 37 different unions.

Joint Consultation. The use of joint consultation machinery in industrial concerns is not common, a notable exception being the Hong Kong Tramways Ltd,, in which a committee has worked successfully since the end of 1955. Many employers are reluctant to experiment in this field, while in most industrial undertakings the workers lack the experience and organization to press effectively for the establishment of joint consultative committees. It is hoped, however, that with the further training of workers and trade union officials, a better understanding of the advantages and responsibilities of joint consultation may be obtained.