INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)
ICFTU Online...
5 September 2003
Hong Kong: Cautious union welcome for climb down by government over anti-subversion bill
Brussels, 5 September, 2003 (ICFTU Online): The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has cautiously welcomed the decision of Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, to shelve a controversial anti-subversion bill, which this July provoked the biggest
demonstrations Hong Kong has seen since its residents protested the events in Tianenmen Square in 1989.
"Tung Chee-hwa's government has finally decided to respect the feeling
and aspirations of people in Hong Kong. Although it is a bit late, we
think it is a good move," commented Elizabeth Tang, Chief Executive of
the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) today, "However, we
will not lay back. Although he has dropped the original draft, we don't
know what the new one will be like. The HKCTU will work hard to ensure
the new draft is presented at an appropriate time, and that it takes
into account the views and aspirations of the people of Hong Kong. It is
unclear what procedures will be adopted, but we want it to be an open
and fair consultation."
The Hong Kong CEO had been facing mounting pressure over the
anti-subversion law, and its withdrawal comes a day after the submission
by the HKCTU of a 15 page complaint to the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) on the draft bill, which the Hong Kong union centre
said contained serious threats to human and trade union rights. The
ICFTU-affiliated HKCTU was one of the principle organisations leading
the July demonstrations, which brought around 500,000 people onto the
streets.
"The ICFTU continues to pledge full solidarity with its affiliates in
Hong Kong, the only free trade unions in China. Rather than trying to
trample on the rights of Hong Kong people, the Beijing authorities
should accept that democracy and human rights, including the rights of
workers, should be fully respected throughout China", said Guy Ryder,
ICFTU General Secretary.
Tung Chee-hwa has said that the government will not introduce a new
version of the legislation until more public consultations have been
held.
See HKCTU's September 4, 2003 complaint to the ILO:
http://www.hkctu.org.hk/english/2003August29_ILO_HKCTU_Article23_FINAL.p
df
See HKCTU report on the July demonstrations in Hong Kong:
http://www.hkctu.org.hk/english/news/july72004.htm
See report on Hong Kong ICFTU's Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights
Violations:
http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991217718