Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor and 47 other overseas Hong Kongers civil society groups and human rights organisations from around the world have signed an open letter urging the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) to provide a prompt explanation for its unfair decision to dismiss Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) chair, Selina Cheng.
In the open letter, they called on WSJ to revoke the unfair decision to terminate Selina Cheng, investigate the management involved in this union discrimination incident, and commit to preventing similar instances.
Cheng indicated at the news conference immediately following her dismissal yesterday (July 17) that WSJ sacked her for restructuring reasons. She also revealed that her WSJ supervisor pressured her about three weeks ago, stating that her duties as HKJA chair and her position as a WSJ reporter were ‘incompatible’. She was asked to withdraw from the HKJA executive committee election, citing that WSJ employees should not promote press freedom “in a place like Hong Kong”.
The incident raises suspicions that after failing to pressurise Cheng to withdraw from the union election, WSJ used “restructuring” as an excuse to dismiss her following the election.
The group emphasised that union participation is a basic human right protected not only by Hong Kong domestic law but also by international human rights and labour conventions. No employer can infringe on this fundamental right.
“The Wall Street Journal, as an internationally renowned media organisation, should take on a greater responsibility in defending press freedom and should not prevent its employees from participating in unions and speaking up for press freedom,” the open letter notes.
“At a time when basic human rights in Hong Kong are being severely suppressed, prohibiting employees from joining unions is equal to aiding and abetting oppression. This episode raises serious doubts about The Wall Street Journal’s commitment to protecting human rights and sets an unacceptable precedent.”