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Submission to The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Jan 2023)

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United Nations

In January 2023, Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor made a submission to the ESCR for its review of Hong Kong. Our report points out that the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) poses a serious threat to the ESCR in Hong Kong. The report also highlights that the Hong Kong authorities violated the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report underscores that the Hong Kong authorities violate individual rights to work and discriminate against individuals based on their political opinions. Examples include requiring civil servants to pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong government, disciplining teachers for their involvement in the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Protests, and barring any person convicted of a national security offence from registering as a social worker for life.

Furthermore, at least 11 trade unionists have been arrested, prosecuted, convicted or sentenced since the NSL was implemented. The authorities also weaponised the Trade Unions Ordinance to suppress trade unions’ operations, including revoking the registration of The General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists. Many trade unions decided to disband or cease operations due to this chilling effect.

The report also condemns the authorities for failing to implement laws for standard working hours, collective bargaining, unemployment assistance, and universal retirement protection. These failures exacerbate Hong Kong’s wealth disparities.

The report includes 18 recommendations in five areas, including urging the authorities to repeal the NSL and take all necessary steps to ensure that workers’ rights to work are fully protected under the covenant.

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向聯合國經濟、社會及文化權利委員會提交報告 (2023年1月)

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Flag of the UN

香港勞權監察在一月向聯合國經濟、社會及文化權利委員會提交報告,指出香港當局在國安法實施後,以及在處理 COVID-19疫情期間的政策抵觸聯合國《經濟、社會及文化權利的國際公約》。

報告指出,香港當局要求公務員宣誓、紀律處分參與2019年反修例運動的教師、以及禁止被裁定干犯危害國家安全罪行的人士永久不能擔任註冊社工、強制公務員接種新冠疫苗,均抵觸個人工作權。

此外,至少11名工會領袖在國安法實施後被拘捕、檢控或定罪 / 判刑,並以政治手段迫使工運組織解散,當局又引用《職工會條例》拑制及打壓工會,包括取消香港言語治療師總工會的註冊,在寒蟬效應下,出現大規模工會解散潮。

報告又批評特區政府一直拒絕實施標準工時、集體談判權、失業支援助及全民退休保障等政策,令社會貧富差距持續惡化,勞工保障遠遠落後於國際標準。報告就五大範疇提出18項建議,包括要求當局廢除國安法、確保勞工的工作權利充分受到保障,以及停止騷擾及恐嚇工會等。

中文報告摘要

報告全文 (只有英文)