Even after the waves of arrests since 2017, there has been increasing pressure on Hong Kong's unions

Dossier "Hong Kong union activists fear 'political purge' as government says unions must comply with national security law. "That will certainly happen

dossier

“Hong Kong union activists fear a “political purge” as the government says unions must comply with the national security law. “This will certainly hinder workers who wanted to form unions,” said a spokesman for the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU). (…) In a blog post published on Sunday, Law said that trade unions are among the “community organizations” mentioned in Articles 9 and 10 of the national security law. (…) The department will also “supervise and manage” trade unions in accordance with the Trade Union Ordinance. If they violate the rules, they risk being removed from the register. (…) On Sunday, pro-democracy union groups described Law's statement as an attempt to intimidate the city's labor movements…”Translation from the Hong Kong Free Press from and on May 17, 2021 at the Working Worlds Forum externer Link – see this and the history of protests:

Before release in 2027: Hong Kong activist and trade unionist Joshua Wong sentenced to another ten years in prison
“Joshua Wong has to remain in prison for a long time because of another case. He is said to have collaborated with foreign powers.
The imprisoned Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to another ten years in prison by a court in China's special administrative region for "collaboration with foreign forces." The court imposed "a final prison sentence of ten years" on Wong, the court said in a press release on Thursday. The activist's prison sentence was thus extended beyond the six years he has already served.
Wong had to answer in the further trial brought against him. In the new case, he was accused of violating the national security law. The 30-year-old pleaded guilty in September. He is currently serving a prison sentence for subversion. Human rights organizations criticize that the new charges are aimed at keeping the activist behind bars for as long as possible.
Wong is one of the most famous faces of the Hong Kong democracy movement, which was brought to a standstill by the authorities under massive pressure. He rose to prominence through the student-led protests and was also involved in the mass protests that led to the imposition of the national security law. He was actually supposed to be released next year…”Agency report from November 5th, 2026 in ND online (“Hong Kong activist Wong sentenced to another ten years in prison”)
- See the history of 2017:Protest against prison sentences for Joshua Wong and other democracy activists: reckoning in Hong Kong?and subsequent messages below
Hong Kong: Winnie Yu, head of the public health union HAEA, was arrested again on March 8 - for her immediate release and that of her co-accused!
“On March 8, hospital unionist Winnie Yu was sent back to prison. Remanded in custody in February 2021, she was released on bail five months later. The bail has now been arbitrarily revoked on the grounds that Winnie Yu was selling New Year's crafts and coffee to support herself and the legal costs of her upcoming trial!
The fired Winnie Yu is scheduled to appear in court on April 28 along with 46 other activists from across the opposition spectrum. They are accused of taking part in an “opposition primary” before the parliamentary elections.
Among the trade unionists currently detained are Lee Cheuk-yan and Carol Ng, former leaders of the disbanded HKCTU.
As for Winnie Yu, the authorities do not forgive her for organizing a five-day strike in public hospitals in early 2020, as head of the HAEA union, which forced the authorities to finally take action against the Covid pandemic.
We call on the authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong to immediately release the detained activists and end the legal proceedings against them.” Machine translation of the (English)Declaration of solidarity from March 11, 2022 from laborsolidarity.org – the alternative trade union network for solidarity and struggle (of which LabourNet Germany is also a member). Winnie Yu is the head of the HAEA public health union, see our dossier on her first arrest:Mass arrests of trade union activists in Hong Kong (and widespread protests): What the security law is intended to protect those in power in China from
In view of increasing violations of human and trade union rights in Hong Kong, the GEW has written to the Foreign Ministry
“In a letter dated November 18, 2021 to the then incumbent Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, GEW chairwoman Maike Finnern was deeply concerned about the latest developments in Hong Kong regarding the forced dissolution of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU). Like other independent unions in Hong Kong, the education union HKPTU decided to disband in August 2021 after repeated restrictions on its activities and intimidation and harassment by national security forces and the judiciary. The HKCTU was now forced to follow the same path after the umbrella organization was confronted with attacks and threats against its representatives. The GEW called on the Foreign Ministry to advocate for compliance with human and trade union rights with the governments in China and Hong Kong.
The Education International (BI) also campaigned for persecuted activists and their release. The governments of Hong Kong and China must withdraw the repressive laws, especially the security law imposed by China. This serves to suppress the democracy movement because it stipulates that all citizens who, for example, support Hong Kong's independence or self-determination can be prosecuted. “The attacks on independent unions are part of a process aimed at dismantling civil society in Hong Kong following the entry into force of the Hong Kong National Security Law in July 2020. The dissolution of the HKCTU and HKPTU is a huge loss for the working people of Hong Kong and the international trade union movement,” the GEW letter said.
The Foreign Office has responded to the GEW chairwoman's letter and assured that the federal government will continue to closely monitor developments and work to protect the fundamental rights of Hong Kong citizens…”Contribution by Carmen Ludwig, international speaker, on December 9th, 2021 at GEW (“GEW criticizes violation of fundamental human rights”) – maximum possible protest or at least?
There is fear in Hong Kong's teachers' rooms - interview with a teacher
“After persistent accusations of the teachers' union Hong Kong Professional Teacher's Union (HKPTU) as traitors by press organs of the Communist Party of China (CCP), after 48 years* of the union's existence, its board of directors informed its 95,000 members of the decision to dissolve on August 10th. In light of the National Security Law for Hong Kong passed in Beijing on June 30, 2020, the Board saw “no path forward.” Susanne Wycisk, GEW member in Bochum, spoke to a colleague at a secondary school who has been teaching English and mathematics for 21 years and has been a union member since then about his observations and impressions of Hong Kong schools. At his five-grade school there are six grade levels with an average of 30 students per class. According to the timetable, you have 45 lessons per week. Secondary school teachers in Hong Kong teach an average of 26-28 lessons of 35 minutes each, five days a week. Because of the pandemic, the hours are currently shortened to 25 minutes…”Interview from September on November 11th, 2021 at the Working Worlds Forum – see HKPTU below
Jaugaiking – The strategy of self-destruction. Critical Notes on the Self-Dissolution of the Student Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
“…After a number of large unions collapsed after their self-dissolution on October 7th, the dissolution of the Students' Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), a very important, if not the most important base of the student movement there, followed. Less than a week later, another affiliated student organization also announced its dissolution. Strictly speaking, only the university administration was making life difficult for the student union (by forcing a separation from the university), while the government had not yet taken any action against them. As you can see, there was no reason why it should disintegrate so quickly. In contrast to previous cases of the dissolution of civic organizations, this time the student union was criticized not only within the student body but also outside it. The clearest criticism came from CUHK Professor Dr. Chow Po Chung, a well-known liberal scientist who was himself active in the student union during his studies. On the same day that the CUHK Students' Association announced its dissolution, he questioned on Facebook whether the leadership even had the authority under the statutes to announce its dissolution and whether dissolution would require at least a full consultation of members and a subsequent referendum. His remark was met with hostility from some who reminded him that he was not in a position to make such criticism as he was not attacked. Dr.Chow responded with great grace by saying that he may not have been clear enough in his post and that he just wanted to reiterate that the decision of the student union leadership has no legal impact on those students who want to revive the student union in the future. In other words, his message was more of advice to those who want to continue the organization. It was the first time since the wave of self-dissolutions of civic organizations in Hong Kong that there was a lengthy debate - in contrast, the self-dissolution of the teachers' union had literally no transparency, let alone public debate. Overall, however, the dissolution of the CUHK Students' Union will undoubtedly further increase demoralization. It is important to remember that the Great Purge is not just about Hong Kong. The interconnectedness of Hong Kong and the mainland civil society means that what happens in Hong Kong also has deep implications on the mainland. (…) Certainly no one can force another person to become a martyr against their will. A better answer would be a strategy of “walking on two feet,” i.e. understanding those who want to avoid risks, but at the same time giving those who want to resist through nonviolent means the time and space to do what they want to do. Especially when the latter are entitled to such rights as set out in the statutes of their respective organizations.Too often, those who were at the top of organizations and wanted to be risk-free did not respect their own statutes or circumvented them through manipulation.While we should not be too harsh on the students who announced the dissolution of their organizations without due process, we should question the behavior of the veteran Democratic Party leaders who did similar things. This party was practically at the head of the teachers' union and the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of China's Patriotic Democratic Movements, the main opposition party here…”Article by Au Loong-Yu from October 26, 2021 in the china-watch blog of the taz in the translation by F. Hofmann from the Working Worlds Forum
Hong Kong: The End of Free Trade Unions
“The democracy movement in Hong Kong has lost a powerful partner. At the end of September, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) announced its self-dissolution. Many member unions had previously dissolved. The political scientist Bodo Zeuner reports on the end of free trade unions in Hong Kong.
At the end of September, co-chairman Joe Wong tearfully announced the dissolution of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) – the Hong Kong trade union federation: “We would like to apologize that we cannot continue”. Members had recently received messages threatening them and their safety was at risk. A huge blow for all employees in Hong Kong, because the HKCTU, as an umbrella organization, represents 93 organizations of dependent workers. Their tasks include organizing independent unions, resolving labor disputes and providing professional, organizational and political worker education. The dissolution would mean the end of free trade unions in Hong Kong that are independent of employers and the state. (…) Previously, its largest member group, the teachers' union HKPTU (Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union), had already dissolved. The journalist, social scientist and political activist Au Loong Yu, who worked for many years in Hong Kong for internationally oriented organizations such as Globalization Monitor and has now had to withdraw to London, observed a total of 50 self-dissolutions of trade unions and opposition organizations in 2021. In a blog for the Berlin "taz" he reports that these dissolutions took place in very different ways - chaotic or orderly, submissive or dignified, internally democratic or by board decision, with or without hope of mercy from the regime. In the end, the result is the same: there is no hope of the continued existence of free trade unions in Hong Kong, and not even any prospect of their spokespeople being spared.All that remains is a branch of the Beijing-controlled ACFTU (All China Federation of Trade Unions, ACGB). This is controlled by employers and the Chinese Communist Party and does not deserve the name “union”. (…) The Covid19 pandemic and the new “national security law” ultimately proved to be extremely unfavorable new framework conditions for the protest movement. The pandemic was successfully contained on the mainland - and with drastic lockdowns - after the initial failure of the government under Xi Jinping. This also made an impression in Hong Kong. At the same time, the Hong Kong protests provoked the party leadership in Beijing. The People's Congress, the all-China parliament, passed a new "national security" law in May 2020 and extended its application to Hong Kong. Under this law, all citizens could be prosecuted for association with “foreign powers” or for calling for independence or self-determination for Hong Kong. In addition, the undissolved organizational remnants of unions, such as the teachers' union HKPTU, are not only depoliticized. Teachers and library employees are forced to teach national values and to clean the libraries of books critical of the dictatorship from all eras, as becomes clear in an interview by Susanne Wycisk with a Hong Kong teacher. In addition to direct punishment, this law created an atmosphere of intimidation and humiliation for opposition members. There were also illegal abductions and murders of individuals by “intermediaries” from secret services. That worked…”Article by Bodo Zeuner from October 15, 2021 at the DGB- Gegenblende
The Great Hong Kong Purge: Fifty self-dissolutions of opposition organizations in Hong Kong, including the Confederation of Free Trade Unions
“On October 3rd, the HKCTU (Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions) held its congress and voted to dissolve. She was the latest victim of the National Security Law (NSL) that Beijing has imposed on Hong Kong since July last year. Since then, a total of 153 people have been prosecuted under this law. At the top of the list is media tycoon and Apple Daily boss Jimmy Lai, but he is also followed by opposition leaders, reporters and a whole host of ordinary people. A total of 49 organizations have decided to disband in the face of threats or possible repression. If you add Joshua Wong's demosisto, which disbanded on the eve of the NSL's enactment, you get a total of 50. This includes the political opposition, large and small trade unions, student organizations, non-governmental organizations, churches and their affiliated organizations, and media organizations. The latest victim was the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which is the most hated by Beijing due to the Hong Kong people's continuous support of the mainland democratic movement. For more than three decades, it had held a June Fourth commemoration event in the city, making it the only place in China to commemorate the tragic crackdown until it was banned last year. The alliance was subsequently harassed by authorities before being forced to disband on Monday, September 25th. It is not just the opposition and activists who have been targeted.We must make one thing clear: Beijing is not a normal authoritarian regime, but rather an Orwellian state, and its current actions represent a major purge to destroy civil society, including freedom of expression, civil associations such as trade unions and student associations, and also a cultural cleansing aimed at controlling people's minds and souls. The locals use the term mainlandization of Hong Kong. By this they mean that despite Beijing's rhetorical commitment to "one country, two systems" status, Hong Kong is quickly becoming a regular Chinese city. From now on, the people of Hong Kong are to be treated as "equals" with the people of the mainland - treated equally as mere subjects with no rights other than the right to be ruled by an all-powerful and omnipresent party bureaucracy…”Assessment by Au Loong Yu on October 5th, 2021 in China watch the taz
The national security law as a tool against trade unionists and critics in Hong Kong
(Incomplete) chronology of horror: destruction of civil society structures in the last three weekson September 22, 2021 at the Working Worlds Forum
Hong Kong City Telecommunications Union (HKCTU) initiates self-dissolution / Joint statement condemning intimidation of civil society organizations in Hong Kong
- HKCTU initiates self-dissolution
  “In recent months, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) has been under attack from state media. Together with the events at the Civil Human Rights Front, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers Union, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, etc., the members of the HKCTU have adjusted to a new climate in which there is no longer a place for the HKCTU.
  No choice but to initiate dissolution after threats to personal safety of officials
  In recent weeks, some HKCTU members have gradually received further information that gives us the feeling that the maintenance of the HKCTU may threaten the personal safety of these members. Since this problem arises from the existence of the HKCTU, the resignation of individual officials is simply not a solution. Considering the possible risks and costs that may arise to members if Hong Kong City Telecommunications Union (HKCTU) continues to exist, and after detailed discussion, the HKCTU is of the view that the current risks and prospects should only be presented to member organizations for consideration and decision on the future of the organization at the General Assembly.
  At the board meeting on Thursday, September 16th, it was decided to initiate the dissolution process and to submit a motion for dissolution at the general meeting. Meanwhile, a consensus based on mutual trust and solidarity has been reached, leaving only Chairman WONG Nai-yuen, Vice Chairman TANG Kin-wa and Treasurer CHUNG Chung-fai to carry out the rest of the process; the remaining board members resigned from office. On Friday evening, members were informed of an extraordinary general meeting to be held on October 3rd to discuss and decide on the dissolution. Monthly allowances and the labor hotline will be discontinued with immediate effect and no further labor dispute cases will be accepted for affiliated unions. The HKCTU is consulting with affiliates on the cases already received in order to minimize the inconvenience.
  The right to strike and freedom of association are threatened by allegations of collaboration with foreign forces by state media
  The HKCTU was accused by Wenweipo of colluding with foreign powers and colluding with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), a “political organization in the guise of an international trade union.” In fact, the ITUC is the largest global trade union federation, representing 332 trade union organizations from 163 countries and regions.
  "These are common links between unions in international civil society, so we do not agree in any way to such political discrediting as a so-called foreign agent," said Wong, "Workers' movements have always relied on international solidarity, so it is reasonable and natural for the HKCTU to cooperate and liaise with unions in different regions. In the last 30 years, the government has never claimed that this is unlawful. It is a threat to the right of workers to join a union when cooperating with international unions is seen as a collusion with foreign forces. He also asked himself: "We cannot understand the accusation of inciting strikes, the establishment of new unions, etc. It is a fundamental right protected by the constitution to form a union and to lead a strike. Why does this suddenly become a crime? Is it the case that unions that are not on the side of the establishment carry an original sin?"
  Thanks to LEE Cheuk-yan and Carol NG and apologies to the affiliates and people of Hong Kong
  Wong, on behalf of the HKCTU, paid tribute to general secretary LEE Cheuk-yan and former chairwoman Carol NG for their tremendous contributions to the union and the movement. He said: “Even though they are not present, I am sure their thoughts are still with us.” He also thanked affiliated unions, former board members, staff, volunteers and the public for their commitment and support. He also apologized to affiliates and the public: "I'm sorry, HKCTU can no longer exist."
  "A movement may experience setbacks and slackness of drive, but we always believe that solidarity is the strength," said Wong, "The HKCTU's 31-year history has witnessed the rise and fall of Hong Kong society. It arose and also came to an end because of a great movement. However, as long as there are workers and the social conflicts remain severe, the labor movement will certainly continue to develop. The values and spirit of solidarity of the HKCTU will not disappear, time will tell that we all "We hope that the HKCTU's previous efforts will serve as historical resources that will carry the trade union movement forward in the future. We wish for more solid and vibrant fruits of the labor movement in Hong Kong."
  At this point we would also like to thank the global readership of our e-newsletter for their long subscription and interest. We are proud to have been able to work with all unions and union groups on the labor movement's path over the decades, and we are touched by all the solidarity support we have given each other. See you soon and stay strong!“ Translation by the Working Worlds ForumStatement from September 20, 2021 “HKCTU to launch dissolution” – see:
  - Hong Kong: ITUC affiliate HKCTU is dissolved – ITUC “deeply saddened”
    “The ITUC is deeply saddened by the decision by ITUC affiliate Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) to initiate the self-dissolution process.
    In recent months, the HKCTU and its affiliates have faced unprecedented attacks, intimidation and accusations of violations of the national security law. The personal safety of union leaders was also threatened. The HKCTU's decision is part of the process of dismantling civil society in Hong Kong since the passage of the national security law in July last year. UN human rights experts have found that China's law on "protecting national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" is inconsistent with international human rights treaties. The law's use of national security terminology criminalizes rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (…) Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary, said: "We condemn the persecution and imprisonment of trade union leaders and recent threats against trade unionists in Hong Kong. The Chinese authorities have also alleged that the HKCTU's membership of the ITUC and its legitimate cooperation with trade unions from other countries constitute collusion, even though international membership and cooperation are protected by ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association.“It is deeply disturbing that the Chinese state media’s ongoing campaign to label domestic and foreign unions, workers’ organizations and activists as foreign agents under Article 43 of the National Security Law will force more and more unions and workers’ organizations to cut their ties with their international counterparts.” Since August, the Hong Kong Teachers' Union, the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists and the Hong Kong-based workers' organization Asia Monitor Resource Center have decided to dissolve themselves. (…) The ITUC calls on the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to stop persecuting and intimidating trade unionists and fundamental freedom defenders and to release those detained. "This year at the ILO, the authorities promised to comply with ILO standards applicable to Hong Kong, but that was an empty promise. The ITUC and the entire international trade union movement stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Hong Kong, and we will continue to fight to ensure that their fundamental rights are respected," added Sharan Burrow.” From the (English)Announcement dated September 21, 2021 “Hong Kong : ITUC affiliate HKCTU to disband”
  - Joint statement condemning the intimidation of civil society organizations in Hong Kong
    “We, the undersigned organizations, strongly condemn the increasing intimidation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Hong Kong by the authorities and pro-government media. We urge the Hong Kong SAR government to stop arresting, detaining and prosecuting CSO activists who are adequately exercising their civil and democratic rights. We also call on pro-government media to stop slandering and blaming CSOs in Hong Kong with baseless reports. (…) Hong Kong's unions were also attacked. The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU), the largest professional union in Hong Kong with over 90,000 members, was forced to disband in August 2021 after being accused by some pro-government media within a week of "poisoning the next generation" and being a "cancer on society." In addition, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union (HKCTU), the largest independent trade union federation in Hong Kong, has also become a key target of this smear campaign and intimidation. After many years of service for the dignity of local workers and justice for Hong Kong citizens, the HKCTU has been described as a "black hand behind the 2019 anti-extradition law movement" and a "foreign agent who sponsored the subversion actions." We have learned that the HKCTU is likely to disband itself soon after months of intimidation.All of this is not only a great loss for the workers and citizens of Hong Kong, but also a significant loss for all of us in Asia who are committed to building democratic and independent labor movements for the benefit of ordinary workers…”Declaration dated September 21, 2021 as a Google Form with already many international signatories (including LabourNet Germany) and the address to sign - also available in English, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai and French
Hong Kong's trade union movement at risk of extinction: now attacking the public health union HAEA “Affiliates of the International Labor Network of Solidarity and Struggle are alarmed by the tragic situation of trade unionists in Hong Kong.The public health union HAEA is particularly in the crosshairs of the authorities. It was founded at the end of 2019 as part of the democracy mobilizations. It has brought together almost a quarter of the sector's workforce in a short time and has become one of the authorities' pet peeves:The HAEA organized a five-day renewable strike in early February 2020, which was partially successful and forced the government to finally take some measures to combat the emerging Covid epidemic.The HAEA also criticized a vaccine and an anti-Covid web application manufactured in mainland China.The HAEA is fully committed to the fight for democracy. HAEA Chairwoman Winnie Yu has been charged with undermining state security and faces up to life in prison for attempting to run for office. Her trial and the trial of 46 co-defendants is scheduled to begin on September 23rd. Meanwhile, she spent almost seven months in custody before being released on bail on July 28 under draconian conditions.
The government is currently conducting a thorough investigation into HAEA, which could lead to their disappearance.
Also in the health sector, five leaders of the General Union of Speech Therapists were arrested on charges of undermining state security. They are accused of publishing children's comics that authorities believe incite hatred against the government. In addition, the union will no longer be recognized by the state as of October 13th. In this context, three other professional associations in the health sector have announced their self-dissolution.
This frontal attack by the authorities also affects other professional sectors such as education, where two professional associations recently dissolved themselves. These included the large union HKPTU, to which 90% of Hong Kong teachers belonged.Several associations, coalitions and parties that had structured political and social life for years have also dissolved.
As for the HKCTU, its president Carol Ng and secretary-general Lee Cheuk-yan have been behind bars for months and a process to dismantle the HKCTU has been initiated.
Hong Kong trade unionists and other democracy fighters need the solidarity of trade unionists around the world more than ever.” Machine translation of thePost from September 17, 2021 at the International Labor Network of Solidarity and Struggle
Fang Ran: The ghostly case of the Hong Kong labor law researcher imprisoned in China
“The HKU doctoral student has long been interested in social issues on the mainland and had attracted the attention of state security forces. According to his friends, he didn't seem worried about his questioning. But then he was arrested. Fang Ran was not alarmed when his belongings, including his phone, computer and ID card, were confiscated by state security agents in southern China in June.
The 26-year-old graduate student at the University of Hong Kong was a member of the Communist Party and was often "invited to tea," a euphemism for informal interrogation, by security forces. Fang's research on the labor movement. In China, he had been targeted by authorities in his hometown of Nanning in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and he was accustomed to the "soft interrogations" that two of his friends said could last up to a day or two. This time it seemed no different, said friend Abner. The agents in Nanning gave Fang his ID card back and he continued his research. In late August, agents asked Fang to return to Nanning to pick up his computer and phone, said Abner, who declined to give his real name. Then everything changed. A week later, Fang's father posted a desperate appeal on social media for his son to be released. He said Fang was accused of subverting the stateand placed under a form of detention called residential surveillance on Aug. 26. No one has heard from Fang since. His arrest has shocked Hong Kong's labor rights community. Few wanted to comment, and many wondered how a student could be accused of trying to overthrow the state…” This is how the (English) beginsArticle by Mimi Lau and Jack Lau from September 11, 2021 in the South China Morning Post
Hong Kong: An open letter from a jailed trade union leader
Lorie Lai, chairwoman of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists (GUHKST), was arrested on July 22 along with the entire ex-Ko by the national police agency over the union's allegedly inflammatory children's book series. She and the other deputy chairman were charged and remanded in custody the following day. The remaining ex-members were also charged and taken into custody on August 30th. In addition, in mid-August, the authorities announced that they had revoked the registration of the GUHKST on the grounds that “the union is being used for purposes that are unlawful or incompatible with its objectives or rules.” Lorie Lai writes on August 4, 21 (the 12th day of her pre-trial detention) she writes, among other things: “…Remember to keep a clear head even in prison. The dangerous thing is that once you get used to not thinking, you will also give up fighting and defending your own rights. Even though the odds in Hong Kong are getting worse today, our mindset has an impact on how we perceive society and reality. Our bodies may be held captive, but our minds will always be free. I hope we can all hold on to our faith and persevere…” See the whole thingLetter in English translation at the International Labor Network of Solidarity and Struggles
Hong Kong's largest teachers' union, the Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU), has announced its dissolution and withdrawal from the union federation following pressure from the government
“Hong Kong's largest teachers' union is to be dissolved under pressure from the government and Chinese state media. The union, founded in 1973, was described by the Chinese state newspaper People's Daily and the Xinhua news agency as a "poisonous tumor" that must be "eradicated." The HKPTU was the city's largest teachers' union with over 95,000 members and represented over 90 percent of the teaching workforce. This came after the Education Ministry announced its decision to cut all ties with the union on July 31, hours after the group came under fire in Chinese state media. (…) “We felt enormous pressure,” HKPTU President Fung Wai-wah told journalists at a press conference on Tuesday. “We understand that many members have a deep connection with the union and are saddened by the dissolution of the HKPTU.” (…) After the government's statement, the 48-year-old union withdrew from the pro-democracy Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and Education International, a global network of educators' unions. The HKPTU also vowed to "focus on the rights and interests of the education sector" following the government's decision and had set up a working committee on promoting Chinese history and culture to promote "affection for home and country" among students…” From the (English)Article by Candice Chau from August 10, 2021 in the Hong Kong Free Press online , see the HKCTU statement on this:
- Civil society in focus. Statements from unions and organizations to break up the teachers' union
  - Statements of solidarity from Education International, Amnesty International and Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) (“We may be next, but we will carry on”) –The developments of the last few days translated into press releases on August 18, 2021 at the Working Worlds Forum , see in particular:
  - CCP media imposes death sentence on teachers' union: The rule of law in Hong Kong is dead, but not the resistance
    “Despite its rhetoric about upholding the rule of law, there is no organization in China that is more damaging to the rule of law than the Communist Party. The party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, published an op-ed accusing Hong Kong's largest union - the Professional Teachers' Union (PTU) - of "promoting anti-Chinese activities that are blighting Hong Kong" and thus being a "tumor that needs to be eradicated." In light of these trumped-up accusations from state media, the Hong Kong government's Department of Education announced that it would no longer recognize the PTU as a professional organization, suggesting that teachers should not be its members. These steps under the National Security Law, which has been in force for over a year, have already criminalized the opposition and forced the PTU to decide to disband on August 10, 2021. This is a major defeat for both Hong Kong's civil society and the labor movement, which has been one of the pillars of Hong Kong's democratic movement…”Translation by Peter Franke at the Working Worlds ForumStatement from Borderless Movement , Hong Kong, August 12, 2021
- A 48-year-old union disappeared in just 11 days - how Hong Kong teachers have lost a strong voice
  “The teachers union Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union rose for 48 years(HKPTU) their voice for teachers and political issues - but the end camebrutally fast. The decision by the pro-democracy Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) to disband after 48 years, citing "enormous pressure" from Beijing and the city government, has silenced an important civil society voice. (…) The union, which represented over 90 percent of the city's teachers, had traditionally advocated for better working conditions for teachers, for student-centered educational reforms and for broader democracy for the city. The closure will have a lasting impact on the daily lives of former members, who will now no longer have access to the comprehensive benefits and benefits the union provided for decades. These ranged from insurance, legal and specialist advice, to medical and dental clinics, to discount stores and travel offers. It also puts its 200 employees out of work. Hong Kong Free Press chronicles the union's history in supporting andDefend the rights of teachers and their opinions on political issues from the colonial era to the handover (to the PRC) and Beijing's national security law as follows…”Translation by Peter Franke at the Working Worlds Forum – China and Germany – the article “A 48-year-old union gone in 11 days – how Hong Kong teachers lost a powerful voice”by Rhoda Kwan on August 15, 2021 in the Hong Kong Free Press online
- HKCTU statement in response to the HKPTU's decision to disband
  “The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) today announced its decision to disband. The HKPTU has been under enormous political pressure recently before coming to this decision, which we understand and respect. Continued attacks on the HKPTU include political intimidation by state media as well as the education bureau's callous termination of the partnership in recent weeks. The constant attacks ultimately led to the forced dissolution of the HKPTU, which fell victim to state interference in freedom of association. The forced dissolution of the HKPTU is undoubtedly a drastic harm to the promotion of teachers' rights, as the education sector loses the most representative organization that can advocate for teachers' rights. The ongoing curtailment of freedoms in civil society and the frightening atmosphere in society are definitely damaging the trade union movement. The labor movement has never had it easy, and the future is even more difficult. In the face of such adversity, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions stands its ground and continues to speak for workers…” From the HKCTU statementdocumented in English on August 10, 2021 at laborsolidarity.org
Massive attacks on the Hong Kong trade union movement: A call for solidarity: Defend the HKPTU - defend Hong Kong teachers! “This blog has repeatedly reported on repression against trade unions and trade unionists. This policy continues and aims at the complete subjugation or destruction of the unions. The student representatives are also a target of state attacks (…) At the same time, the employee organizations are being attacked, currently the teachers' union PTU. Hong Kong's largest single trade union, founded in 1974, is considered the last remaining stronghold of the opposition movement. State media attacked the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union on Saturday, calling the pro-democracy organization a tumor that must be eliminated. A People's Daily article said the union opposes education and professionalism and promotes anti-Chinese activities that are driving Hong Kong to ruin. She accused the union of encouraging teachers to cause trouble and teaching children to break the law. (…) “For Hong Kong education to get back on track, the teachers’ union must be investigated and the tumor eliminated,” the Xinhua article said. Education bureau cuts ties with Hong Kong's largest teachers' union, hours after Chinese state media described the organization as a "malignant tumor" (...) Scores of activists have fled Hong Kong for the UK. Together with British trade unionists, they form the Labor Movement Solidarity with Hong Kong (UK) and represent an important voice in the fight for the rights of wage earners, not only in Hong Kong. In London they protested in front of the British Home Office on July 29th.which was about both the British government's treatment of refugees and solidarity with workers and oppressed people in China…”Translations from various media on August 5, 2021 at the Working Worlds Forum and therein the call “Defend the HKPTU – defend Hong Kong teachers!“ with an online form for signing the declaration: “We write this letter to protest against the Hong Kong government's non-recognition of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) and its general attacks on trade unionists…”
see also the Working Worlds Forumdiscussing an investigation into worker activism in China

Even after the waves of arrests since 2017, there has been increasing pressure on Hong Kong's unions

dossier

See also: