17 May 2002
The 24th International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) Congress:
Resolution on the Arrest of Trade Unionists in the People's Republic of China
NOTES that recent mass protests by workers in mainland China in Daqing City in Heilongjiang Province and Liaoyang City in Liaoning Province have been met with severe repression, including the arrest and imprisonment of workers' elected representatives.
SUPPORTS the formal complaint lodged with the ILO by the ICFTU on March 28, 2002, concerning the violation of freedom of association in Liaoyang and Daqing.
FURTHER RECOGNIZES that the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), the only trade union organization permitted by law, has failed to take any action whatsoever to defend the rights and interests of workers in Liaoyang and Daqing, has not pressed for the release of those arrested and, at the March 2002 meeting of the China Working Party of the ICFTU, was unanimously described as NOT being the legitimate representative of workers in China.
CALLS ON its affiliates to actively campaign for the immediate release of arrested trade unionists and recognition of the right to freedom of association by lodging formal protests with the Chinese government and its diplomatic missions in their respective countries.
REAFFIRMS current IUF China policy of no formal IUF contact with or recognition of the ACFTU and ENDORSES continued IUF support and solidarity to independent workers' organizations in China fighting for fundamental worker and trade union rights.
The 24th International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) Congress:
Resolution on the Arrest of Trade Unionists in the People's Republic of China
NOTES that recent mass protests by workers in mainland China in Daqing City in Heilongjiang Province and Liaoyang City in Liaoning Province have been met with severe repression, including the arrest and imprisonment of workers' elected representatives.
SUPPORTS the formal complaint lodged with the ILO by the ICFTU on March 28, 2002, concerning the violation of freedom of association in Liaoyang and Daqing.
FURTHER RECOGNIZES that the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), the only trade union organization permitted by law, has failed to take any action whatsoever to defend the rights and interests of workers in Liaoyang and Daqing, has not pressed for the release of those arrested and, at the March 2002 meeting of the China Working Party of the ICFTU, was unanimously described as NOT being the legitimate representative of workers in China.
CALLS ON its affiliates to actively campaign for the immediate release of arrested trade unionists and recognition of the right to freedom of association by lodging formal protests with the Chinese government and its diplomatic missions in their respective countries.
REAFFIRMS current IUF China policy of no formal IUF contact with or recognition of the ACFTU and ENDORSES continued IUF support and solidarity to independent workers' organizations in China fighting for fundamental worker and trade union rights.