On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the National Security Ordinance, the Hong Kong government rushed through sweeping amendments to the Trade Unions Ordinance, delivering a devastating blow to workers’ rights and civil freedoms. The bill was fast-tracked through opposition-free legislature and passed without any amendments from the Legislative Council. The bill was gazetted on 4 July and will be effective in January 2026. Framed as a tool to counter so-called “soft resistance”, these changes weaponise “national security” to silence dissent and crush independent unions.
We strongly condemn this amended Ordinance, which strips trade unions of autonomy and undermines fundamental labour rights guaranteed under local and international law. It entrenches excessive executive powers, isolates unions from international solidarity, and weakens Hong Kong’s already fragile labour movement.
Severe New Restrictions Undermine Union Autonomy
Under the revised ordinance, unions face severe new restrictions: they can now be denied registration on vaguely defined “national security” grounds without the right to appeal; individuals convicted of “endangering national security” are permanently barred from forming or leading unions; the Registrar is granted intrusive investigative powers without the need for a court warrant; and unions are prohibited from receiving foreign funding without prior approval from the Registrar, and they must notify the Chief Executive before affiliating with any overseas organisations.
Denial of Registration Threatens Basic Organising Rights
Denial of registration on broad “national security” grounds — with no right of appeal beyond an expensive and inaccessible judicial review — fundamentally undermines the rule of law and deters workers from forming new unions. This not only weakens collective bargaining but also discourages grassroots organising, striking at the heart of the labour movement.
The lifetime ban on anyone convicted of national security offences from forming or leading unions strips individuals of their freedom of association permanently. This punitive measure transforms political charges into political blacklisting, intimidating activists and silencing dissent far beyond individual cases.
Sweeping Investigative Powers Invite Abuse
The Registrar’s new powers to enter union offices without a warrant, seize and copy records (including financial documents, meeting minutes and membership details), and compel questioning of union staff pose grave threats to privacy and independence. These intrusive measures invite arbitrary and politically motivated interference, creating a chilling effect on union operations.
Furthermore, the vetting on foreign forces’ funding and affiliations disproportionately impacts unions representing ethnic minority workers, such as construction workers, food delivery couriers, and domestic workers, many of whom maintain essential ties with their home communities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal,Thailand and beyond. Under the new law’s sweeping definition of “funding” — which includes co-organising seminars, social gatherings, and travel subsidies — these unions risk losing vital community and international support networks, further marginalising already vulnerable groups.
The deliberately vague definition of “foreign forces” fuels fears that any organisation critical of the Chinese or Hong Kong governments, or advocating for human rights, could be arbitrarily targeted. This tactic isolates local unions from international solidarity and further entrenches authoritarian control over labour movements.
A Call for International Solidarity
Since the National Security Law’s enactment in 2020, over 200 unions have disbanded under political pressure. The amended Trade Unions Ordinance mark a new crackdown designed to silence workers and dismantle collective action.
Article 27 of the Basic Law guarantees freedom of association and the right to form and join unions. ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 protect these rights and prohibit undue government interference. The government’s national security justification is a transparent attempt to erode fundamental freedoms.
We stand firmly with all Hong Kong workers and unions facing repression and call on the international community, including the ILO and UN human rights bodies, to condemn these violations and hold the Hong Kong government accountable.