The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) issued a statement on the World Day of Social Justice, resolutely condemning the Hong Kong government’s suppression of trade unions and expressing solidarity with former HKCTU Chairperson Carol Ng, who was sentenced to four years in prison for participating in the 2020 pro-democracy primary election and has yet to be released.
The ITF reaffirmed that the global trade union movement will not turn a blind eye to the repression in Hong Kong. ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton stated, “The repression of trade unionists is an attack on all of us. The global trade union movement stands in solidarity every day with those who are persecuted by authoritarian governments for their union activities. The collective power of trade unions is the strongest force against social division and oppression. This is why we always say—‘an injury to one is an injury to all’.”
Four Years Behind Bars—A Symbol of the Hong Kong Government’s Crackdown on Labour Rights
28th February marks four years since the mass arrests of pro-democracy figures who took part in the primary election under the National Security Law. Since her arrest, Carol Ng has been repeatedly denied bail. As the former Chair of the British Airways Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association (BAHKICCA), she has long been a vocal advocate for workers in the aviation sector. Yet she was sentenced to four years and five months in prison simply for participating in the 2020 pro-democracy primary election. Despite serving two-thirds of her sentence, she has not been granted early release as usual.
During her trial, Carol Ng stated that her aspiration in running for the Legislative Council was to promote social progress and ensure workers could share in economic prosperity. Yet her peaceful political expression was met with a ‘conspiracy to subvert state power’ charge. Her case stands as a stark example of the Hong Kong government’s suppression of the labour movement and erosion of collective bargaining rights.
The ITF condemned her imprisonment, “Carol Ng’s courage exemplifies the determination of transport union activists. Her prolonged detention highlights the grave dangers faced by those who fight for union freedoms in repressive environments.”
Christopher Mung, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor (HKLRM), also emphasised the urgency of international solidarity, “This is a critical time for the global community to demand the release of these individuals and all political prisoners. With independent trade unions, civil society groups, and opposition parties effectively dismantled in Hong Kong… we must not remain silent.”
Global Trade Union Solidarity—Demanding the Release of Imprisoned Trade Unionists
Beyond Hong Kong, trade unionists around the world continue to face persecution. In Iran, transport unionists Ebrahim Madadi and Davood Razavi remain imprisoned for defending workers’ rights. In Eswatini, Sticks Nkambule, leader of SWATCAWU, has been forced into exile under constant threat.
The ITF has made an unequivocal demand for the immediate release of all unjustly imprisoned trade unionists, including Carol Ng, and has called upon governments and international organisations to take concrete action to stop the Hong Kong authorities from further eroding labour rights.
“The fight for workers’ rights is a global struggle. We will not stop until every innocent prisoner regains their freedom.”