In this issue: Construction Industry Hit By Ongoing Wage Disputes | Hong Kong Diaspora Trade Unionists | HK Labour Rights Newsflash
The liquidation of Hong Kong’s long-established construction company Fung Cheung Kee this March marked the start of a string of wage arrears incidents in the construction industry. Even another prominent construction company, Paul Y. Engineering, which took up several government projects, was caught up in wage arrears disputes between May and July. Over the last six months, at least nine strikes have been called in response to wage arrears in the construction industry. Industry insiders describe the current atmosphere in the construction sector as highly tense, with some companies delaying wages for as long as eight months. According to official statistics, the unemployment rate in the construction industry has consistently increased over the past six months. In the first quarter of this year, private construction sites reported only 85 job openings, indicating that the construction industry has undoubtedly entered a period of decline, with grassroots workers bearing the brunt of the impact.
Hong Kong Diaspora Trade Unionists
Calvin Wong, the Former Contract Civil Servant Chair
Vows to Fight for the Rights of Hong Kongers in Canada
During the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests, nearly five hundred independent labour unions were established, giving rise to the New Labour Movement and playing a significant role in the greater 2019 pro-democracy movement. Calvin Wong formed the Government Non-Civil Service Staff General Union during this movement.
Unfortunately, Calvin was compelled to disband the union after the Hong Kong government enacted the national security law and required non-civil service contract employees to make loyalty declarations, combined with smear campaigns by pro-Beijing media. He eventually relocated to Canada. He subsequently moved to Canada. While adapting to his new life in Canada, Calvin remains committed to his purpose, actively participating in local Hong Kong community organisations and advocating for the Hong Kong democracy movement. Recently, he organised a petition urging the local immigration authorities to expedite the processing of permanent residency applications for Hong Kongers.
HK Labour Rights Newsflash
- Construction Industry Faces Repeated Wage Disputes <Read more>
- Around Half of Top Talent Pass Arrivals Are Unemployed (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Know your rights | Can Employees Refuse Unpaid Leave When Requested? (Chinese only) <Read more>
- France Election 2024: A Surprising Surge for the Left-wing Alliance (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Hong Kong Urged to Review Heat Stress Warning System <Read more>
- Sportswashing, Human Rights and Role Of Sponsors In International Events <Read more>
- UK Trade Unions March to Oppose Racist Attacks <Read more>
- Understanding the HK Protection Against Anti-Union Discrimination in the Case of Wall Street Journal’s Dismissal (Chinese only) <Read more>