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The works posted on this page come from the web master's thesis The Political Participation of Hong Kong's Labour Movement Leadership in the Transitional Period. The thesis was submitted to the University of Hong Kong in 1993 for fulfulling the requirements of the master's degree programme in Politics & Public Administration.

Abstract

This study has attempted to explore the essential features of the political participation of Hong Kong's labour movement leadership during the political transitional period.

A significant number of unions have adopted a positive manner towards the Labour Advisory Board elections. Some large, resourceful, and influential unions also participated in local elections. However, the influence of the labour movement is by no means confined to the officially-designed electoral process. Much can be learned by examining the nonelectoral participatory acts launched by the labour movement leadership.

From the study of the political evaluations of the active unions, the major reasons for undertaking political actions include: first, they believed that they should have their part in the political process, and in pushing Hong Kong toward further democractic reforms; second, they were dissatisfied with the government performance in labour affairs, and strongly believed that they were dominated by the government and business interests.

Some unions have readjusted their organizational structures and their allocations of group resources so as to strengthen their foundations for overt political participation. On the other hand, in order to enhance their members' political knowledge and experience, members were encouraged to take part in the unions' civic education and community participation activities.

E.H.I.W.

June 1993

Key words: Political participation, Hong Kong labour movement, trade union movement, labour politics