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Labour Struggles

The Transformation of Traditional Trade Unions: From 'Wage-Claiming Machine' to Combining Strength for Three-Front Strike

2020-01-17

At the same time, traditional democratic trade unions are tasting a breath of fresh air brought by new blood who joined in.  The Construction Site Workers General Union (Construction Site Union hereafter) was established in 1992. Members come from different fields of construction work, including plastering, formwork erection among others.  The Construction Site Union hereafter and Bar Bending Industry Workers Solidarity Union are both affiliated to HKCTU. Two officers are employed by the CTU to carry out administrative duties, advocacy work, and casework for the two unions

Anti-Extradition Bill Movement Series- Three Work Sectors Which Have Suffered from Police Brutality 

2020-01-17

Since the outbreak of the Anti-Extradition Bill Movement in June, the problem of abuse of police power has become more serious, and violence (such as the excessive use of tear gas) has become common. The police have lost control, the monitory mechanism has been failing, but the government still turned a blind eye to the problem and refused to establish an Independent Investigation Committee. The unrestricted police power not only harms the protestors, but also ordinary citizens. One could be deprived of one’s legal rights, and one’s personal safety is not guaranteed. In the past few months, some workers have been affected due to the special circumstances in their work sectors. A lot of problems occurred to wage earners, which affirm the saying, ‘Even if you are ignorant of politics, politics will still come to your door.

A City Defended by Our Children:  Labour Rights Activists Teach by Examples and the Art of Communication between Parent and Child

2020-01-17

Faced with totalitarian rule, the youngsters took to the streets in different ways compared to the previous generation. From June to November, the older generation was at first puzzled by their action, but gradually came to understanding. Or at least, became empathetic with the youngsters, no longer criticize their approach and choose to stand by them. How great is unspelled love?[1] There are often few words spoken between father and son. When their sons went on the street to protest, the labour rights activists observe silently and are gratified to learn that, unwittingly, their sons have matured.

The Voters Have Quietly Awakened and Refused to Perish in Silence

2020-01-17

The turnout rate for the current District Council election reaches 71%, which is the highest among the previous district and legislative elections in Hong Kong. Among the three million voters who have already voted, nearly 1.7 million voters supported the candidates recommended by the Pan-Democratic camp, which implies that the popular vote of Pro-democratic candidates comes close to 60%. Compared with the 2015 District Council election, the number of votes obtained by the Pan-Democratic camp increases by more than 1.08 million. After six months of Anti-Extradition Bill Movement, many Hong Kong people regard this election as a ‘referendum’ and ‘no-trust vote’ to the Hong Kong communist regime and as a punishment to the ‘pro-Beijing’ candidates who have become the accomplice of tyranny. Faced with the erosion of human rights in Hong Kong under the communist regime in recent years and the police violence in recent months, the election results have indeed helped Hong Kong people vent their anger. 

Cathay Pacific, is it a victim of White Terror or a perpetrator?

2019-10-26

In the past 4 months, anti-extradition law protestors in Hong Kong have proven to the world that they are persistent and firm with their demands. Protesters from different walks of life, sectors took part in assemblies, writing campaigns and strikes. Despite police brutality, they continue to voice out loudly. The Hong Kong Government, instead of listening to the people, deploys various vicious measures, hoping to silence the people. Beijing, "the black hand behind all these chaos", continues to believe money is the solution and threatens Hong Kong workers with layoffs. Employees in the aviation sector are among those most retaliated ones.

A mother's cry: the next generation has a harder path to take 

2019-10-10

Anna is six to seven months pregnant, but she still tries to attend the ‘peaceful’ anti-extradition demonstrations as much as possible. The flight attendant did not expect the 'summer of uprisings' would be so long.

‘Battlefield’ social workers between police and protesters

2019-10-10

At scenes of conflicts,  there are usually a group of people wearing the identification badges which are not police warrant cards but the social worker identification badges. The holders of the badges have no privileges and are not spared from the beats of batons. At the time of writing, some social workers were beaten and some were arrested

Interview with the leader of Candlelight Revolution Tae-Ho Lee: the debate on militant (“jung mou”) and violence in South Korea

2019-09-20

The civil rights movements in South Korea has a great influence on Hong Kong. In the past two months, the protest against President Park Geun-hye in South Korea in 2016 was often mentioned by the Hong Kong protestors. The Korean farmers who protest against WTO (World Trade Organisation) in Hong Kong in 2015 had inspired the Hong Kong youngsters in Anti-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Movement in 2015, as well as the discussion on “militant”, or “jung mou” protest in recent years. In July, at the height of anti-extradition bill movement, Red Balloon interviewed Mr Tae-Ho Lee, the leader of South Korea’s Candlelight Revolution, during his visit to Hong Kong, on the experience of their protest.

Anti-extradition protesters occupied West Kowloon Station, burning PRC’s back column. Heated debates on web-forum LIHKG 

2019-09-20
Protesters hold slogan: Today's Wuhan is tomorrow's Hong Kong
 
This article was wrote at July right after the Kowloon rally on 7 July. 

Five Demands, No One Less Carrie Lam: Can you hear the people’s call

2019-09-05

Yesterday (4/9/2019), Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has announced the withdrawal of the amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Extradition Bill). However, after refusing to withdraw the bill for months, Hong Kong people have already paid a hefty price in the movement to scrap the bill. So, to dream that such a belated withdrawal would quell all social unrest is far-fetched.