In this issue: HK Labour Rights Suffer Amidst Ongoing Government Persecution in 2023 | HK Labour Rights Newsflash | Hong Konger Labour Festival
‘The State of Labour in Hong Kong 2023’ was published this month. This report takes stock of recent developments in the labour market, labour laws and policies, labour standards violations, trade union activities, and workers’ collective actions in Hong Kong. It pointed out that over 200 trade unions were forced to dissolve in the past three years under the government’s ongoing repression. The number of trade union members in 2022 plummeted by 7% compared to 2019. The trade unions have experienced a sharp decline in membership, with an average decrease of 40%. And there has been a significant rise in the number of “mini trade unions,” comprising 50 or fewer members, which has surged threefold. The diminishing membership and fragmented nature of trade unions have made it difficult for workers to unite and fight for their rights.
Despite the difficulties, we still witnessed occasions when Hong Kong labour unions and individual activists defended workers’ rights, acting as strong reminders of workers’ resilience and determination to assert their rights in an oppressive environment.
HK Labour Rights Newsflash
- Despite Food Industry Workers Jobless and Shop Closures; 1,000+ Foreign Workers Imported in Six Months (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Hong Kong Faces Labour Market Crisis Amidst Surge in Business Closures <Read more>
- Shein Considers London IPO After US Resistance to Listing <Read more>
- Workers need a “right to disconnect” from work to strike a work-life balance (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Unions Registration in Hong Kong Decline by 90%, 219 Unions Dissolved (Chinese only) <Read more>
Upcoming Event
Hong Konger Labour Festival
We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural Hong Kong Labour Day, happening on May 11th. Our exciting line-up includes:
- Exploring the Overseas Role of the Dispersed Community
- Understanding UK Workplace Culture
- Documentary Screenings: She’s in Jail
- Hong Kong Independent Labour Movement Exhibition
- Labour Law Consultations for Hong Konger in the UK
- Hong Kong Labour Movement Singing Performance
- Delicious Hong Kong Street Food
Let’s unite, watch out for each other, and carry forward the spirit of Hong Kong’s independent labour movement! For more updates, please stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
If you would like to co-host an event in your area, please email us at [email protected] !
That’s a wrap for this month. We’d appreciate it if you could share this email with your network. It would help us reach a wider audience and increase awareness of #HKLabourRights. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram,Facebook and Threads for more updates.
In solidarity,
Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor