International labour unions stand with Elizabeth Tang

1 min read

Trade unions across the world sent solidarity messages to Elizabeth Tang, General Secretary of International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Confederation of a Trade Unions (HKCTU).

Elizabeth Tang was arrested by Hong Kong national security police for alleged “foreign collusion” shortly after visiting husband Lee Cheuk-yan in prison on 9 March and released on bail 2 days later on 11 March.

In its statement issued on 15 March, IDWF refute allegations against its General Secretary, Elizabeth Tang:

Not only is she the General Secretary of IDWF, she is also a leader in the global labour movement, a sister to many, and a mother of the domestic workers movement worldwide.

IDWF said in the statement

The statement also commended Elizabeth Tang’s efforts in advocating for the domestic workers worldwide, including leading the global network of domestic workers in a campaign that led to the 2011 adoption of ILO Convention 189 concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers. “a major step towards the protection and recognition of millions of domestic workers around the world, sparking a seismic shift in society towards respecting and valuing the vital contribution of these most vulnerable and ‘invisible’ workers.” IDWF said.

36 countries has ratified the ILO Convention 189 as of today. 

We stand in solidarity with Elizabeth, one of the world’s most principled and prominent women trade union leaders and activists.

IDWF on 15 March 2023

UNI Global Union, All Philippine Trade Unions Sentro Labour, International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF), the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) also issued statements to stand with Elizabeth Tang this month.

I was fortunate to work with her closely in the 2000s, and she has always put special focus on the ‘invisible’ and vulnerable workers who are left behind. Her approach has consistently been that we must lift wages and conditions for all workers, not only those in more privileged circumstances. She has earned UNI’s complete respect.

Christy Hoffman, UNI General Secretary on 6 March 2023

國際工會聲援鄧燕娥 「她不會孤單獨行」 

2 mins read

國際家務工聯會(IDWF)秘書長、前職工盟總幹事鄧燕娥日前被國安警拘捕,被指控涉嫌違反國家安全法,現正保釋中

代表全球67萬家務工的國際家務工聯會(IDWF)在3月15日發表聲明,駁斥當局所有針對鄧燕娥的指控,並會堅定地與鄧燕娥同一陣線,「她不只是我們的秘書長,亦是國際的工運領袖、是眾多人的姐妹,亦是國際家庭工人運動的母親。」IDWF 形容,鄧燕娥是全球最有有原則及傑出的女性工會領袖之一。 

聲明中提到,鄧燕娥由1980年代開始展開工運事業,參與創立職工盟,並擔任該組織總幹事16年。2009年開始,她參與推動家務工運動,先後在港協助成立亞洲家務工聯會、促成制訂家務工國際公約及創立國際家務工聯會。 

她不只是我們的秘書長,亦是國際的工運領袖、是眾多人的姐妹,亦是國際家庭工人運動的母親。

國際家務工聯會聲明

IDWF特別表揚鄧燕娥致力促成國際勞工組織家務工國際公約(ILO Convention 189),為保護和認可全球數百萬計家務工踏出歷史性的一步,令一直處於脆弱位置、長期被視作「隱形」的家務工勞動貢獻,可以獲得社會的重視及尊重。公約至今已獲36國家簽訂。 

此外,國際服務業工會聯盟(UNI Global Union)「國際食品勞聯」(IUF)國際建築林木業工會聯盟 (BWI)、 菲律賓工會 Sentro Labour以及荷蘭全國工會(FNV)亦有就鄧燕娥被捕一事發聲明,以示團結。