In this issue: Say NO to China’s ‘Mega-embassy’| Labour Rights Analysis | Event | HK Labour Rights Newsflash
Join us at Royal Mint Court to say NO to China’s ‘Mega-embassy’
China plans to build its largest embassy in the world at the Royal Mint Court in London, potentially turning it into a base for transnational surveillance and repression of dissidents. Remember the assault on Hong Kong protesters at the Manchester Consulate? And the ‘overseas police stations’ China set up in the UK to monitor exiled Hongkongers, Uyghurs, and Tibetans?
China’s infiltration is already threatening our freedom and safety. We, together with more than 20 concerned groups in the UK, are organising a rally to oppose the Chinese ‘Mega-embassy. Let’s stand together and oppose the Chinese embassy’s plan to protect our freedom!
Date: Saturday, 8th February 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Outside the Royal Mint Court, London, EC3N 4AB
LABOUR RIGHTS ANALYSIS
SHEIN’s Listing Struggles: The End of China’s Sweatshop Model?
SHEIN’s failed attempts to list in the U.S. and U.K. reflect global backlash against China’s exploitative production model. Despite relocating its headquarters to Singapore, the company still heavily relies on Chinese factories. Investigations revealed Guangzhou workers labouring 14+ hours daily, earning just RMB 2,400 a month, with no union or strike rights—conditions sustained by China’s authoritarian system. SHEIN also faces scrutiny over forced labour concerns, particularly the potential use of Xinjiang cotton and its lack of supply chain transparency.
SHEIN’s struggles symbolise the broader challenges facing China’s exploitation-based economic model, which is increasingly incompatible with global standards. This may mark the decline of the much-lauded “China model” in the face of rising ethical and regulatory demands.
Graphic credit: RFA Cantonese
EVENT
Webinar: Labour Movement Under Authoritarian Regimes — Belarus, Myanmar, Hong Kong
Around the world, labour movements face growing repression under authoritarian regimes. In many countries, activists are imprisoned or exiled, trade union rights are violated, and democratic unions are under threat.
This webinar will spotlight Belarus, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, featuring exiled labour activists sharing firsthand accounts of resistance under oppression. Scholars and global labour representatives will also discuss the role of international solidarity in defending workers’ rights in authoritarian states.
Date : 11th February 2025 (Tuesday)
Time：2:00pm-3:30pm(GMT), 3:00pm-4:30pm(CET), 5:00pm-6:30pm(MSK), 9:00pm-10:30pm(MMT), 10:00pm-11:30pm(CST),
Speakers：
· Lizaveta Merliak, Chairperson of Salidarnast e.V., Belarus
· Khaing Zar Aung, President of Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar
· Christopher Mung, Executive Director of Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor
· Frank Hoffer, Research Fellow of Global Labour University
· Eric Lee, Founding Editor of LabourStart
· Kirill Buketov, Policy Officer of IUF
· Walton Pantland, Director for Organising and Campaigns and Shipbuilding and Shipbreaking, IndustrialAll Global Union
*This event is conducted in English
HK Labour Rights Newsflash
- Hong Kong artist Luke Ching fired by McDonald’s after calling for mealtime pay to be reinstated <Read more>
- $100 Billion Deficit, But John Lee’s Pay Tops Trump’s (Chinese only) <Read more>
- Hong Kong employees receive 3.2% pay rise, lowest since latter stages of pandemic <Read more>
- The truth behind your $12 dress: Inside the Chinese factories fuelling Shein’s success <Read more>
- Khaing Zar Aung, Burmese Trade Unionist Calls for ILO Sanctions on Myanmar Junta <Read more>