In this issue: Free all Political Prisoners | Labour Rights Analysis | International Solidarity | Event Preview | HK Labour Rights Newsflash
After Prolonged Jail and Trial
Sentencing for 45 Democrats Set for November 19
47 Democrats were charged under national security law with conspiracy to commit subversion after participating in or organising the 2020 Legislative Council primaries. Following a lengthy 118-day trial, 14 defendants who pleaded not guilty were convicted, while the remaining 31 pleaded guilty. The court recently decided to announce the sentencing of the convicts on 19 November.
Winnie Yu, former Chairperson of the Disbanded Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, claimed in her mitigation, “Even now, I believe that there was nothing wrong with trying to change the existing order by voting in the Legislative Council. Perhaps my only mistake was that I loved Hong Kong too much.”
Carol Ng, former Chairperson of both the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and British Airways Hong Kong Cabin Crew Union, remarked, “Participating in the primary election was a means to enter the legislature, to allow workers to share in the fruits of socio-economic development and to protect labour rights, not to subvert the state.”
Winnie and Carol were both charged in 2021 and have been in detention for over three years. May they, along with the other defendants in the case, be released soon to reunite with their families.
Labour Rights Analysis
Hong Kong’s Policy Address: Labour Hardship Ignored in Favour of Beijing’s Political Narrative
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee gave his third Policy Address on Wednesday (16th), titled “Building our Future Together.” However, in his lengthy two-and-a-half-hour speech, he made no mention of the hardships that workers are facing as a result of the current economic downturn. This comes as no surprise, as John Lee suggests that with national security firmly established in Hong Kong and Beijing’s narrative of progress, the city’s future is boundlessly bright, shifting from stability to prosperity—leaving little room to acknowledge the harsh economic reality it faces. Consequently, economic woes are simply labelled as “economic transformation,” while issues like store closures, stagnant business, and rising unemployment are dismissed as mere “technical adjustments.” There are no problems in Hong Kong. Under this narrative, the divide between Hong Kong citizens and the government’s policies would remain a large and unbridgeable.
Graphic credit: RFA Cantonese
International Solidarity
International Human Rights Day:
ITUC-Asia Pacific Condemns HK Government’s Use of NSL and Article 23 To Target Diaspora Trade Unionists and Human Rights Defenders
On 9 October (Wednesday), the International Trade Union Confederation – Asia Pacific (ITUC-Asia Pacific) passed a resolution condemning the Hong Kong government for weaponising the National Security Legislation (NSL) and the Article 23 Law to arrest and detain trade unionists and human rights activists, clamp down on civil liberties, spread fear, and silence dissidents both within Hong Kong and internationally. The resolution condemns the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ cross-border surveillance, censorship, asset freezes, travel restrictions and harassment of diaspora trade unionists and human rights defenders.
Over 20 UK Civil and Human Rights Groups Urge UK Foreign Security to Voice Strong Concern on Hong Kong Political Prisoners and Cross-Border Repression
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy made his first official visit to China. In response, Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor, along with 22 UK-based civil society and human rights organisations, has joined a joint statement initiated by Hong Kong Watch. The statement calls on the Foreign Secretary to raise concerns with Chinese authorities regarding Hong Kong’s National Security Law (Article 23), particularly its extraterritorial provisions that allow Hong Kong authorities to extend cross-border repression against Hongkongers who have resettled in the UK.
Event Preview
Webinar for women HongKongers rights at work in the UK
Have you experienced workplace bullying or sexual harassment? Have you encountered difficulties or unreasonable demands from your supervisor when requesting leave to care for children? After returning from maternity leave, were you reassigned to a different role? Would you like to know more about your rights as a woman in the workplace?
In November, we will co-host an online seminar with UNISON, the UK’s largest union. The seminar will feature their experts, who will provide insights into women’s workplace rights in the UK.
Date: November 13, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Spaces are limited, free of charge, with live Cantonese interpretation available.
Notes:
- Friends working in public services sectors such as hospitals, schools, or rehabilitation centres are especially welcome to attend.
- Confirmation will be sent via email upon successful registration.
HK Labour Rights Newsflash
- Without Universal Pension, Hong Kong’s Aging Population Faces a Future of Working Until Death <Read more>
- The state-controlled union, the Federation of Trade Unions Aids in Eroding Freedom to Protest and Assembly in Hong Kong <Read more>
- Policy Address: Labour Policy Lacks Focus, Eases Retraining for Graduates, Expands Overseas Talent Intake <Read more>
- Labour Rights Analysis | Policy Address Shouldn’t Use National Security as a Cover-up Urgent Economic Relief Needed for Workers (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Labour Rights Analysis | Unequal Distribution of Social Resources Reveals Deeper Political Power Imbalances (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Hongkongers in the UK Engage with NGOs to Raise Awareness of Discrimination and Promote Openness Towards Different Races (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Know your Rights | Why Join Trade Unions in the UK? (Chinese only) <Read more>