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On the application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a Government spokesman today (April 27) said:

"With regard to the application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) to the HKSAR, the Central People's Government notified the UN Secretary General on April 20, 2001 of the following statements: -

1. Article 6 of the Covenant does not preclude the formulation of regulations by the HKSAR for employment restrictions, based on place of birth or residence qualifications, for the purpose of safeguarding the employment opportunities of local workers in the HKSAR.

2. 'National federations or confederations' in Article 8.1(b) of the Covenant shall be interpreted, in this case, as 'federations or confederations in the HKSAR' and this Article does not imply the right of trade union federations or confederations to form or join political organisations or bodies established outside the HKSAR."

The ICESCR will continue to apply to Hong Kong subject to the above statements.

The Government spokesman further explained, "The statement on the application of Article 6 is a continuous effort to safeguard the employment opportunities of local workers. On the application of Article 8(1)(b), it clarifies interpretation on the right of trade unions to establish federations or confederations in Hong Kong."

End/Friday, April 27, 2001

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