### Trade Unions Ordinance 《職工會條例》

33. Application of funds
(1) The funds, other than the welfare and electoral funds (if any), of a registered trade union may, subject to the rules thereof and to the provisions of this Ordinance and the regulations, be expended only for the following purposes— (Amended 47 of 1988 s. 4)
(a) the payment to officers and paid staff of the trade union of salaries, allowances and expenses incurred in dealing with the affairs of the trade union; (Amended 15 of 1971 s. 17; 18 of 1977 s. 4)
(b) the payment of expenses for the administration of the trade union, including audit of the accounts of the funds thereof;
(c) the prosecution or defence of any legal proceeding to which the trade union or any member thereof is a party, when such prosecution or defence is undertaken for the purpose of securing or protecting any rights of the trade union as such or any rights arising out of the relations of any member with his employer or with a person whom such member employs;
(d) the conduct of trade disputes on behalf of the trade union or any member thereof;
(e) the compensation of members for loss arising out of trade disputes;
(f) the allocation of moneys for the provision and maintenance of a welfare fund;
(g) purchase of bonds, securities or property;
(h) payment of subscriptions, fees, contributions or donations to a registered trade union or other lawful association or combination established within Hong Kong; (Amended 47 of 1988 s. 3)
(i) the promotion of entertainments;
(j) subject to the approval of the Chief Executive, contributions or donations to a trade union or other similar organization established outside Hong Kong whether or not such registered trade union is affiliated therewith; (Amended 15 of 1971 s. 17; 47 of 1988 s. 3; 102 of 1997 s. 4; 135 of 1997 s. 8)
(k) the payment of fines imposed on the trade union for any offence of which it is convicted under this or any other Ordinance; (Added 15 of 1971 s. 17)
(l) any other purpose which the Chief Executive may approve. (Replaced 15 of 1971 s. 17. Amended 102 of 1997 s. 4; 135 of 1997 s. 8)
(2) Without prejudice to section 49, a registered trade union that contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine at level 1. (Amended E.R. 3 of 2020)

### Trade Unions Ordinance 《職工會條例》

33A. Electoral fund
(1) If authorized by secret ballot of a majority of its voting members, a registered trade union may establish an electoral fund out of which may be paid—
(a) expenses incurred directly or indirectly by a candidate or prospective candidate for election to a District Council or the Legislative Council;
(b) expenses for the holding of a meeting or the preparation and distribution of literature or documents in support of a candidate or prospective candidate for election to a District Council or the Legislative Council; and
(c) expenses related to the registration of electors or the selection of a candidate for election to a District Council or the Legislative Council. (Amended 8 of 1999 s. 89; 78 of 1999 s. 7)
(2) A registered trade union shall not compel a member to contribute to the electoral fund and the union shall not make contribution to the fund a condition for admission to the union or continuing as a member with full membership rights in the union.
(3) A registered trade union shall not pay money out of an electoral fund until rules under paragraph (j)(iii) of Schedule 2 have been registered by the Registrar under section 18.
(4) A registered trade union that contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 1. (Amended E.R. 3 of 2020)
(Added 47 of 1988 s. 5)

33B. Electoral expenses resolution
(1) Where no electoral fund is established under section 33A, a registered trade union, if authorized by secret ballot of a majority of its voting members present at a general meeting or of a majority of members’ representatives present at a general meeting where the rules of the trade union allow voting by members’ representative, may pay for expenses referred to in section 33A(1).
(2) An authorization under this section must limit the expenditures to a specific election and specify the maximum amount authorized.
(Added 47 of 1988 s. 5)

34. Use of funds for political purposes
Except as permitted under sections 33A and 33B, the funds of a registered trade union shall not, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere—
(a) be applied either directly or indirectly for any political purpose; or
(b) be paid or transferred to any person or body of persons in furtherance of any political purpose.
(Added 135 of 1997 s. 9)

### Trade Unions Ordinance 《職工會條例》

35. Treasurer to render accounts to members
(1) The treasurer of a registered trade union and every other officer thereof who is responsible for the accounts of the trade union or for collection, disbursement, custody or control of the funds or moneys thereof shall, upon resigning or vacating his office and at least once in every year at such time as may be specified in the rules of the trade union and at any other times at which he may be required to do so by a resolution of the voting members of the trade union or by the rules thereof, render to the trade union and its members a just and true account of all moneys received and paid by him during the period that has elapsed since his assuming office or, if he has previously rendered an account, since the last date upon which he rendered such account, and of the balance remaining in his custody at the time of rendering such account and of all bonds, securities or other property of the trade union entrusted to his custody or under his control.
(2) The form of account may be prescribed.
(3) The trade union shall cause the account to be audited by some person approved for that purpose by the Registrar.
(4) After the account has been audited, the treasurer or other officer referred to in subsection (1) shall, if he is resigning or vacating his office or if so required by resolution of the voting members of the trade union or by the rules thereof, as the case may be, hand over to the trade union such balance as appears to be due from him and all bonds, securities, effects, books, papers and property of the trade union in his custody or otherwise under his control.
(5) If the treasurer or other officer referred to in subsection (1) fails to hand over such balance or such other things as are referred to in subsection (4) in accordance with that subsection, the trade union or any voting member thereof may sue him in any competent court for the balance appearing to have been due from him upon the account last rendered by him and for all moneys since received by him on account of the trade union and for the securities and effects, books, papers and property in his custody, leaving him to set off in such action the sums, if any, that he may have since paid on account of the trade union, and in any such action the plaintiff shall be entitled to recover full costs of the suit to be taxed as between solicitor and client.