In this issue: Say NO to China’s ‘Mega-embassy’| Labour Rights Analysis | Event | HK Labour Rights Newsflash
Join us at Royal Mint Court to say NO to China’s ‘Mega-embassy’
China plans to build its largest embassy in the world at the Royal Mint Court in London, potentially turning it into a base for transnational surveillance and repression of dissidents. Remember the assault on Hong Kong protesters at the Manchester Consulate? And the ‘overseas police stations’ China set up in the UK to monitor exiled Hongkongers, Uyghurs, and Tibetans?
China’s infiltration is already threatening our freedom and safety. We, together with more than 20 concerned groups in the UK, are organising a rally to oppose the Chinese ‘Mega-embassy. Let’s stand together and oppose the Chinese embassy’s plan to protect our freedom!
Date: 8th (Saturday), February 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Outside the Royal Mint Court, London, EC3N 4AB
Labour Rights Analysis
SHEIN’s Listing Struggle: Is China’s Sweatshop Era Ending?
After facing roadblocks in its attempt to go public on the New York Stock Exchange, Chinese fast-fashion giant SHEIN has turned its focus to a London IPO, only to face yet another wave of controversy. Despite its staggering $60 billion valuation, SHEIN is struggling to gain acceptance in global markets – so why is it facing obstacles at every turn? At its core, the backlash underscores a deeper issue with China’s exploitative labour model: a business established on modern slavery will find it increasingly difficult to thrive on the global stage, regardless of how smart its branding is.
HK Labour Rights Newsflash
- Hong Kong artist Luke Ching fired by McDonald’s after calling for mealtime pay to be reinstated <Read more>
- $100 Billion Deficit, But John Lee’s Pay Tops Trump’s (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Hong Kong employees receive 3.2% pay rise, lowest since latter stages of pandemic <Read more>
- The truth behind your $12 dress: Inside the Chinese factories fuelling Shein’s success <Read more>
- Khaing Zar Aung, Burmese Trade Unionist Calls for ILO Sanctions on Myanmar Junta <Read more>
Event
Webinar: Labour Movement Under Authoritarian Regimes — Belarus, Myanmar, Hong Kong
Around the world, labour movements face growing repression under authoritarian regimes. In many countries, activists are imprisoned or exiled, trade union rights are violated, and democratic unions are under threat.
This webinar will spotlight Belarus, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, featuring exiled labour activists sharing firsthand accounts of resistance under oppression. Scholars and representatives of global labour organisaitons will also discuss the role of international solidarity in defending workers’ rights in authoritarian states.
Date : 11th February 2025 (Tuesday)
Time：2:00pm-3:30pm(GMT), 3:00pm-4:30pm(CET), 5:00pm-6:30pm(MSK), 9:00pm-10:30pm(MMT), 10:00pm-11:30pm(CST),
Speakers：
· Lizaveta Merliak, Chairperson of Salidarnast e.V., Belarus
· Khaing Zar Aung, President of Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar
· Christopher Mung, Executive Director of Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor
· Frank Hoffer, Research Fellow of Global Labour University
· Eric Lee, Founding Editor of LabourStart
· Kirill Buketov, Policy Officer of IUF
· Walton Pantland, Director for Organising and Campaigns and Shipbuilding and Shipbreaking, IndustrialAll Global Union
*This event is conducted in English
Lunar New Year Market x Labor Rights Talk for Hong Kongers in the UK
Last week, we participated in the Bristol Lunar New Year Market in southwest England, where we celebrated the Lunar New Year with local Hong Kongers while raising awareness about labour rights in the UK. The market was crowded and joyful, with the God of Fortune appearing and a lion dance performance captivating the audience. Stalls ringed the venue, selling nostalgic Hong Kong street food and handmade crafts, which gave many participants a strong sense of home. Many Hongkongers who have relocated to the UK are highly concerned about their labour rights and eagerly participated in our talk, raising numerous questions.
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
將香港勞工聲音帶到國際
Amplifying Workers’ Voices from HK to the World