Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the Government’s report on the application of the Convention in Hong Kong SAR. Noting the Government’s indication that the number of registered trade unions amounted to 661 as at 31 May 2002, representing a 29 per cent increase over the past ten years, the Committee asks the Government to provide any available statistics on the number of registered employers’ organizations.

The Committee notes that according to the registered modifications on the application of Article 3 of the Convention, the amalgamation of trade unions is subject to the consent of the public authority where either of the trade unions is a member of an organization established outside the territory. The Committee notes however, that according to section 30 of the Trade Union Ordinance, the prior consent of the public authority seems to be required also in cases of amalgamation between all trade unions. The Committee asks the Government to specify what is the applicable procedure for the amalgamation of trade unions which are not members of organizations outside the territory of Hong Kong SAR and to indicate the manner in which the prior consent requirement under section 30 is applied to such cases.