ENG-1962 — Page 74

EMPLOYMENT

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common interests from amalgamating into effective organizations. Ignorance of trade union movement principles makes it difficult to improve this structure.

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions supports the Chinese People's Republic. Most of the members of its 63 affiliated unions are concentrated in shipyards, textile mills and public utilities, or are seafarers. A further 28 unions, nominally independ- ent, align themselves with the federation and take part in its activities. Comparatively little was heard from the federation during the year, and although it criticized the proposed restraints on textile trade with the United States and the retail price index, its principal activity was a campaign to raise $100,000 for an alternative site for its second clinic. As in previous years, no attempt was made to confine welfare benefits to members of affiliated unions and relief was offered without discrimination to the victims of typhoon Wanda.

The other union federation, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council, sympathizes with the policies of the Taiwan authorities. Most of the members of its 59 affiliated unions and of the 49 nominally independent unions, which generally support the TUC, are employed in the catering and building_trades. Although the number of unions sympathetic to it far exceeds those adhering to the FTU, both the declared and estimated paid-up membership figures of the TUC unions are very much lower than those in the other group. The TUC is affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. Although it plays little part in this organization, representatives of the TUC attended the Sixth Asian Regional Conference in Japan. In conjunction with the Asian Regional Office of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU--ARO), the TUC organized 10 courses in trade union education. A total of 238 officers from affiliated and sympa- thetic unions attended these courses.

The Textile Workers' Asian Regional Organization, of which the Cotton Industry Workers General Union, Hong Kong, is a member, held its first executive committee meeting in the Colony in April. Delegates from Pakistan, India and Hong Kong were present. There are 37 independent unions, with a small membership. Although several of these unions seem undecided about future