Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) is a pro-democracy
labour and political group in the Hong Kong
. It was established in 1990. The group is headed by President Lau Chin-shek and General Secretary Lee Cheuk-yan, and has 160,000 members in 61 affiliates (mainly trade unions in various sectors).
The principles put forward by the HKCTU are "Solidarity, Rice Bowl, Justice and Democracy". The group focuses on the rights and interests of workers, and the development of a democratic political system in Hong Kong. It calls for the right to collective bargaining
and protection against dismissals for involvement in trade union activities.
Days before transfer of sovereignty in 1997, with the support of the democratic camp, the HKCTU successfully established statutory rights of collective bargaining of labour unions, which mandate employers to negotiate with labour unions on issues such as salaries, welfare and working hours. Under strong objections from the pro-business sector such as the Liberal Party
, the laws were abolished by the Provisional Legislative Council
shortly after the transfer of sovereignty.
Members of HKCTU were involved in organizing a number of local protests, including the mass protest of July 1, 2003 to oppose the legislation of Article 23
of the Basic Law
(organized by the Civil Human Rights Front of which HKCTU is a member), and other protests to struggle for labour rights and democracy in Hong Kong and in Mainland China.
In the 1998 LegCo election, the group was represented by Lau Chin-shek (also a member of Democratic Party
and The Frontier
) and Lee Cheuk-yan (also a member of The Frontier
) in the LegCo. Lau quit the Democratic Party before the 2000 LegCo election, had not renewed the membership of The Frontier before the 2004 election, and did not run under the HKCTU banner in the 2004 election.
The group is active in the political arena in Hong Kong, and has representation in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
(LegCo) to challenge government policies and push for legal protection of worker and trade union rights. It is one of the two most influential labour groups in Hong Kong. (The other is the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions).
Besides calling for universal suffrage
of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
and LegCo, the group also supports pro-democracy movement in mainland China
, including the struggle for independent trade unions. It participates in a number of human rights and labour rights networks to oppose the alleged suppression of labour movements in mainland China.
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
labour and political group in the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It was established in 1990. The group is headed by President Lau Chin-shek and General Secretary Lee Cheuk-yan, and has 160,000 members in 61 affiliates (mainly trade unions in various sectors).
The principles put forward by the HKCTU are "Solidarity, Rice Bowl, Justice and Democracy". The group focuses on the rights and interests of workers, and the development of a democratic political system in Hong Kong. It calls for the right to collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
and protection against dismissals for involvement in trade union activities.
History
The Confederation was established in 1990. HKCTU has its roots in the Christian Industrial Committee. HKCTU was established on the initiative of public sector workers.Days before transfer of sovereignty in 1997, with the support of the democratic camp, the HKCTU successfully established statutory rights of collective bargaining of labour unions, which mandate employers to negotiate with labour unions on issues such as salaries, welfare and working hours. Under strong objections from the pro-business sector such as the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Hong Kong)
Liberal Party is a business-friendly liberal conservative political party in Hong Kong.-Party beliefs:The party is known for its conservative and business-friendly policies. Despite being a political party friendly with Beijing, it fits in the centre-right political spectrum...
, the laws were abolished by the Provisional Legislative Council
Provisional Legislative Council
The Provisional Legislative Council or the PLC was the interim legislature of Hong Kong from 1997 to 1998. The legislature was founded in Guangzhou and sat in Shenzhen from 1996 until the handover in 1997 and moved to Hong Kong to serves as the temporary replacement of Legislative Council of Hong...
shortly after the transfer of sovereignty.
Members of HKCTU were involved in organizing a number of local protests, including the mass protest of July 1, 2003 to oppose the legislation of Article 23
Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23
Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 is the basis of a security law proposed by the Government of Hong Kong. It states:On 24 September 2002 the government released its proposals for the anti-subversion law. It is the cause of considerable controversy and division in Hong Kong, which operates as a...
of the Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
(organized by the Civil Human Rights Front of which HKCTU is a member), and other protests to struggle for labour rights and democracy in Hong Kong and in Mainland China.
In the 1998 LegCo election, the group was represented by Lau Chin-shek (also a member of Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Hong Kong)
The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
and The Frontier
The Frontier (Hong Kong)
The Frontier was a relatively radical pro-democracy political group in the Hong Kong. It was established on 26 August 1996. The group was headed by former convenor Emily Lau Wai-hing since its establishment as a loose group of individual pro-democracy activists.On 23 November 2008, the Frontier...
) and Lee Cheuk-yan (also a member of The Frontier
The Frontier (Hong Kong)
The Frontier was a relatively radical pro-democracy political group in the Hong Kong. It was established on 26 August 1996. The group was headed by former convenor Emily Lau Wai-hing since its establishment as a loose group of individual pro-democracy activists.On 23 November 2008, the Frontier...
) in the LegCo. Lau quit the Democratic Party before the 2000 LegCo election, had not renewed the membership of The Frontier before the 2004 election, and did not run under the HKCTU banner in the 2004 election.
Present
- See also: Politics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by its constitutional document, the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a multi-party system...
The group is active in the political arena in Hong Kong, and has representation in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
(LegCo) to challenge government policies and push for legal protection of worker and trade union rights. It is one of the two most influential labour groups in Hong Kong. (The other is the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions).
Besides calling for universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
and LegCo, the group also supports pro-democracy movement in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, including the struggle for independent trade unions. It participates in a number of human rights and labour rights networks to oppose the alleged suppression of labour movements in mainland China.
Notable Members
- Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour UnionsFederation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour UnionsThe Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions , is the third largest trade union in Hong Kong next to Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, having 72 trade unions in total. It was established in 1984. Li Fung-ying, the vice-chairman of the trade...
- Hong Kong Social Workers' General UnionHong Kong Social Workers' General UnionHong Kong Social Workers' General Union is a trade union for the social workers in Hong Kong. It was established in 1980. The current president, Cheung Kwok-che is the member in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. It is one of the trade unions in pro-democratic Hong Kong Confederation of Trade...
- Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union Hong Kong Professional Teachers' UnionThe Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union , is a pro-democracy trade union in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. It was established in 1973. The president of the group is Cheung Man Kwong, who has been in this position since 1990...