ENG-1970 — Page 47

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EMPLOYMENT

The Employment (Amendment) (No. 3) Ordinance, which came into force on August 1, 1970, provides further protection to employees against the non-payment by employers of wages earned or other moneys owed. Under the amendment no employer may enter into, renew, or continue a contract of employment unless he believes on reasonable grounds that he will be able to pay, on the due date, all wages due under the contract of employment. An employee, if his employer or former employer is about to leave Hong Kong with intent to evade payment of wages earned or other moneys owed under a contract of employment, may apply to a District Judge seeking the issue of a warrant of arrest of his employer or former employer, provided that he has reasonable grounds for making such an application.

With the exception of a small neutral and independent segment, workers' unions are either affiliated to, or associated with, one of two local federations which are registered as societies and bear allegiance to opposing political groups. Divided politically and further separated by differences in dialect, the number of unions has grown beyond practical needs and divergent loyalties have prevented those with common interests from amalgamating into effective organisations.

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions supports the Chinese People's Republic. Most of the members of its 66 affiliated unions are concentrated in shipyards, textile mills, and public utilities. A further 20 unions,, nominally independent, are friendly towards the federation and participate in its activities. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council, sympathises with the policies of the Taiwan authorities. Most of the members of its 95 affiliated unions and of the seven nominally independent unions, which generally support the Trades Union Council, are employed in the catering and building trades. The Trades Union Council is affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. During the year a number of changes took place in the leadership of the Council.

There are 77 independent unions, some of which continued to make improvements in their internal administration and in the services offered to their members.