In this issue: HK Govt Seeks to Tighten Labour Union Laws | Labour Rights Analysis | International Solidarity | Event | HK Labour Rights Newsflash
Stop Weaponising National Security to Crush Trade Union Rights
HKSAR government has proposed amendments to the Trade Unions Ordinance. We strongly condemn these amendments and demand their immediate withdrawal, as they seriously infringe on union rights and violate the Basic Law and international labour conventions:
1.Political Surveillance of Unions
- Unions must declare and obtain approval for foreign funding.
- Membership in “foreign political organisations” is prohibited, with vague definitions that may encompass human rights groups.
- The government can enter union offices without a warrant to access financial, membership, and meeting records.
2.Lifetime Denial of Freedom of Association
- Individuals who have violated national security laws are permanently barred from organising or participating in unions.
3.No Right to Appeal for Unions
- The government can reject union registration based on “national security reasons,” with no right to appeal.
These amendments further suppress unions and destroy freedom of association, deviating from international standards. We will closely monitor the situation and file complaints with international organisations.
LABOUR RIGHTS ANALYSIS
The Diplomat: China’s London ‘Super Embassy’ Would Be a Super Surveillance Hub
The U.K. cannot ignore the broader human rights risks that come with China’s request to build a so-called “super embassy.”
After failing to secure approval in 2022, the Chinese government has resubmitted its controversial proposal to build a massive new embassy complex in London – 10 times the size of its existing facility. While the plan has been debated for over two years, public discussion has largely focused on logistical concerns, such as its impact on nearby residents and whether local infrastructure can handle increased foot traffic.
Yet a far more urgent issue has been largely overlooked: human rights. In recent years, the Chinese government has escalated its transnational repression, frequently using its overseas institutions to conduct covert political operations, particularly targeting dissidents abroad. Given these growing concerns, the question is not just whether London should approve this so-called “super embassy,” but whether it can afford to ignore the broader risks that come with it.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Chmee2
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
International Solidarity: The Struggles and Hopes of Labour Movements in Hong Kong, Belarus, and Myanmar
Under severe authoritarian pressure, exiled labour leaders from Belarus, Myanmar, and Hong Kong shared their experiences in an online seminar this month, highlighting the importance of international solidarity.
In 2022, the Belarusian government dissolved independent trade unions, imprisoned their leaders, and forced workers into government-controlled “yellow unions”. Lizaveta Merliak of Salidarnast e.V. revealed these abuses through the ILO, urging global attention. Following the 2021 coup in Myanmar, the military regime dismantled trade unions, with workers earning as little as $1.11 a day, often facing child labour and forced labour. Khaing Zar Aung from the Myanmar Industrial Workers Federation called for international brands to withdraw. Over 200 unions have been dissolved in Hong Kong and leaders arrested under the National Security Law. Christopher Mung from Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor noted that despite repression, workers continue to find new ways to resist, exemplified by strikes from Foodpanda delivery workers.
EVENT
Labour Rights Talk for Hong Kongers in Solihull
This month, we visited Solihull, a key hub for Hongkongers in the UK, to explain local labour laws and workers’ rights, helping them navigate workplace challenges. Labour laws provide only basic protection—mutual support is essential for securing better rights. As worker-led organisations, trade unions play a vital role in safeguarding labour interests, from negotiating pay and benefits to defending members against unfair treatment.
We also attended the Sheffield Lunar New Year Fair, showcasing the history of Hong Kong’s independent labour movement and answering labour-related questions.
Labour Rights Newsflash
- Budget 2025: Officials Keep Salaries Cut Grassroots Benefits <Read more>
- Crackdown on Professionals Sparks Citywide Chill (Chinese only) <Read more>
- 23 Killed in HK Industrial Accidents, Law Reforms in Doubt <Read more>
- Migrant Workers in China Resort to Suicide Threats for Unpaid Wages (Chinese only) <Read more>