#LabourUnion #Economy
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union receives numerous unemployment assistance requests

Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union (HKCTU) chairman, Carol Ng pointed out that HKCTU received numerous requests for assistance in the past few months because the government has failed to assist them through the 81 billion HKD employment subsidy. Some employers used fake identities to get the subsidies, while some even fired their own employees in order to get the subsidy.

HKCTU received 47 cases, of which 28% were employees forced to take no-pay leave, 19% reported that their companies fired them after getting the subsidy, 15% were changed from monthly paid to daily paid, 11% had their salaries reduced, and 11% had decreased working hours. 20% of the employees agreed that the employment subsidy cannot help workers at all.

HKCTU committee member Wong Yu-loi pointed out that there were 5 major loopholes in this scheme. First, the government has failed to regulate the allocation of the subsidy, causing the management level to benefit the most, while workers of lower ranks cannot get the help they need.

Retail, Commerce and Clothing Industries General Union director Cheung Lai-ha also said that many corporations asked theur employees to go on no-pay leave or to change their employment terms to an hourly basis after they received the subsidy. She suspected that these companies just want to get more subsidies from the headcount, but these employees are only allowed to work for a few days, causing them to be paid less as a whole.

Source: Stand news
#Jul9 #employmentsubsidy #HKCTU

#PoliticalDiscrimination #Censorship
HK Government Fires #CivilServant for Not Signing Allegiance Oath

Mr. Wu had been a civil servant in Hong Kong for over 30 years serving the governments before and after the handover. He was recently fired for not signing the government-required oath indicating his allegiance to Hong Kong Basic Law.

On April 12, 2021, he received the suspension order from his workplace, Environmental Department. Since then, he has not received any response upon his inquiry of the government's decision.

Mr. Wu recounted that he was asked by the management to sign the oath on March 12, the last day of submission. Mr. Wu in the end signed the document and turned in three copies: one in person and two by fax.

However, the government decided to fire him directly and did not follow up with his query. On April 20, 2021, the management of the Department bar Mr. Wu from returning to the office. On April 23, the Department cleared his desk and claimed that his belongings would be sent to his home, or the landfill otherwise. Mr. Wu was unable to retrieve his medication and the keys to his home. He has since then spent a few days on the street.

The statement released by the union #HKCTU pointed out that Mr. Wu had been fulfilling his duty as a civil servant for over 30 years. The behavior of the government clearly endangers the rights of the employees with a different voice.

Source: InMedia; HKCTU #Apr23
https://bit.ly/3tLzc9x

#FailedState #Infringement

#NeverForget #NeverGiveUp
Hong Kong Pro-democracy Trade Unions Commemorate CCP-'Suicided' #LiWangYang for Fighting Against Totalitarian Power

Source: HKCTU; #FirstHand #Jun6

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29989

#NeverForget #NeverGiveUp
Hong Kong Pro-democracy Trade Unions Commemorate CCP-'Suicided' #LiWangYang for Fighting Against Totalitarian Power

Video: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29988

On June 6, 2021, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU), a pro-democracy labour rights group, held a memorial for Chinese dissident Li Wangyang (1950-2012) who passed away on the day 9 years ago in 2012.

After being jailed by the Chinese authorities for 21 years, Li who had become blind and nearly deaf by then was found dead in a hospital room. The #ChineseCommunistParty (#CCP) government initially claimed that Li had "committed suicide".

Li's sudden death -- which took place just a few days after he in an interview called for the vindication of the 1989 June 4th #TiananmenMassacre -- had stirred up outcry in Hong Kong and abroad. The real cause of his death remained in the shadow.

The HKCTU organized a commemorative event to pay tribute to Li's perseverance in fighting against the regime.

#ChowHangTung, vice chairperson of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China who was arrested by the Hong Kong police on the morning of June 4, 2021, joined the memorial on bail.

Chow said, "The regime does not win even by imprisoning us. As long as we manage to reinforce the movement during the process, we are not losing."

Source: HKCTU; InMedia;
#FirstHand #Jun6
https://bit.ly/3ghbIDu

#Dissent #Death #Suicide #StateTerrorism #Memorial
#Video

#Creativity #ProtestArts #Video
#Ode to Hong Kong Pro-democracy Movement

The video is a visual and audio poetry produced by the pro-democracy Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) on the second anniversary of the population's fight for democracy in June 2021,

The music video captures many objects representative of events that took place over the course of the 2019 #AntiELAB movement.

The #lyrics of the #song go:

"I light up the madman's candle
And follow the ants into the crowd,
There is nothing recognizable in the scenery anymore,
But it all feels familiar.

None of this will fade away,
Though footsteps crush each name into dust,
Let the song that flows across the eons
Befriend the souls not yet laid to rest.

Let the moth visit this burning heart

For a moment I remember who I was,
For a moment I remember.

To all who have persevered to this day."

Source: Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions #Jun16

#Inspirational
It takes only 1 second to surrender but forever to persevere: When “backend supporters” become “frontline fighters”

As this article was written, the former president of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU), Carol NG, was charged with “conspiracy to subvert state power” along with other 46 persons due to their participation in the 2020 HK pro-democracy primaries (“2020 Primaries”) and all were put in custody and remanded. 

When the 47 defendants reported to the Police in February 2021, they initially thought they could be put on bail and be “free” at least until April.

Shockingly the regime pushed and pushed the prosecution a lot earlier to 1 March 2021.

Continue reading our fully translated article here:

https://telegra.ph/It-takes-only-1-second-to-surrender-but-forever-to-persevere-When-backend-supporters-become-frontline-fighters-06-20

Source: Stand News #Mar23

#CarolNg #Surrender #Persevere #Backend #Frontline #PoliticalProsecution #LegCo #Primaries

#FirstHand #Jul21
Two Years After the July 21 Yuen Long Mob Attack: Hongkongers Commemorate Key Protest Incidents Despite Heavy Police Presence

20:05 | Yuen Long West Rail Station

Members of #TinShuiWaiConnect and Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) set up street booth at the West Rail Train Station to commemorate the #YuenLong721 incident.

2 years ago in 2019, white-clad mobsters stormed into the train cabinets and the platform of Yuen Long west Rail station to brutally assault black-clad civilians on their way home after a long day of pro-democracy rally.

Police-triad collusions were alleged as police's arrival at the scene was delayed. In addition to closing the police station early, uniformed police officers, patrolling nearby the train station, were sighted turning a blind eye to the assault and left the scene without rendering support to those bellowed for help.

The #YuenLong721 incident, which happened on July 21, 2019 is one of the most remembered incidents during the pro-democracy movement in 2019.

Since then, pro-democracy supporters came to the station every month to commemorate the incident, showing their defiance and strong belief in freedom and democracy.

On July 21, 2021, Lam Chun, a vocal member of Tin Shui Wai Connect, called on citizens to think of possible quests for democracy amidst Chinese tyranny as shown in the imposition of National Security Law in Hong Kong in July 2020.

Tang Kin-wah, an executive member of HKCTU mentioned another incident that took place on the same day in 2019 when Hong Kong police headshot 36 rubber bullets and countless rounds of tear gas at pro-democracy citizens demonstrated in front of the Chinese Liaison Office in Sheung Wan and Central.

Tang said, on that day, courageous Hongkongers pressed forward together, each supporting another.

He was, however, saddened to see local authorities attempted to water-down the #YuenLong721 incident by distorting some most obvious facts.

He urged Hongkongers to stand in solidarity and continue their fight for freedom in order to defend their own rights.

Moments after the booth were set up on July 21, 2021, hundreds of police officers, arrived at the scene to "remind citizens of the gathering restrictions".

The police stopped and searched passers-by, urging them to leave as quickly as they can.

#WhiteTerror #NeverForgive #NeverForget #PoliceState #PoliticalOppression

Source: Firsthand, TinShuiWaiConnect; #Jul21

#Court #Censorship
Hong Kong Court Asks Man to Change Mask With Suspected Protest Iconography

#CarolNg, former chairperson of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) and one of the “#NSL47”, has been remained under custody. She has requested bail on #Dec20, 2021 to the High Court, and the application was processed by Esther Toh Lye Ping, one of the designated judges for any #NationalSecurityLaw-related cases.

A court observer have worn a yellow and black mask with the #Bible verse (Amos 5:24), “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,” embroidered on it.

He was denied entry by security and court personnel under orders of the judge, and demanded that he change his mask before he would be allowed entry. They have not explained their reasons behind this act.

The observer was disgruntled by the request, and questioned, “If my clothes were not allowed in court, do I have to take them off them too?”

A similar incident also happened on #Dec17, 2021, when former head of the English edition of Apple Daily #LoFung (Fung Wai-kwong) requested bail.

Before the hearing began, Toh, through her secretary and Bailiffs, required observers wearing yellow masks or wearing hoodies with yellow umbrella insignias to change into “more appropriate” clothing, or be led away from the courtroom.

Some observers have questioned the requirement, questioning that those were “unsuitable” clothing, to which the Chief Bailiff stated, “it is inappropriate,” without further explaination.

Source: InMedia #Dec20

https://bit.ly/3slkoAG

#Mask #Injustice #Save47

#PoliceState #Crackdown
Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police

Four former leaders of a disbanded pro-democracy union have reportedly been brought in for questioning by Hong Kong’s national security police after allegedly failing to supply information about its past activities.

"The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations," a police source said.

The former chair of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) Joe Wong, former vice-chair Leo Tang, ex-treasurer Chung Chung-fai, and former general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan – who is currently behind bars – were taken on March 31, 2022 to assist police investigations.

The HKCTU was Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy union coalition, representing almost 100 affiliated organisations totalling around 145,000 members, before its dissolution in October 2021.

Despite the shutdown, the Security Bureau issued a statement saying any organisation or its members would “remain criminally liable” for offences committed, regardless of disbandment.

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Mar31
https://bit.ly/3LxdqyP

#PoliceState #Crackdown
Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police

Four former leaders of a disbanded pro-democracy union have reportedly been brought in for questioning by Hong Kong’s national security police after allegedly failing to supply information about its past activities.

"The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations," a police source said.

The former chair of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) Joe Wong, former vice-chair Leo Tang, ex-treasurer Chung Chung-fai, and former general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan – who is currently behind bars – were taken on March 31, 2022 to assist police investigations.

The HKCTU was Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy union coalition, representing almost 100 affiliated organisations totalling around 145,000 members, before its dissolution in October 2021.

Despite the shutdown, the Security Bureau issued a statement saying any organisation or its members would “remain criminally liable” for offences committed, regardless of disbandment.

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Mar31
https://bit.ly/3LxdqyP

#Crackdown
IPAC : It is absurd that mere applause during a court case can be construed as a seditious act

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (#IPAC) condemns the arrest of 6 individuals on suspicion of seditious intention to incite hatred, contempt or rebellion against the administration of justice in Hong Kong after applauding during the trial of Chow Hang-tung’s June Fourth memorial incitement case in early 2022. 

The individuals arrested include the vice-chairman of the now disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU), Leo Tang, and citizen journalist Siew Yun-Long (Siu Wan).

The sedition charges were made under Sections 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance – colonial era laws that have been criticised by the UN Human Rights Committee and frequently used by the Hong Kong authorities to crack down on legitimate protest.

The other individuals arrested were citizen observers at the courts who frequently witness political cases. 

"Not only are these charges wrong and to be condemned, but they also demonstrate how far the rule of law has deteriorated in Hong Kong," IPAC said in its statement.

IPAC also calls on governments to hold the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to account for these abuses and appeals for all overseas judges to withdraw from serving on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal in this further undermining of the independence and integrity of Hong Kong’s legal system.

Read IAPC statement :
https://ipac.global/statement-on-the-arrest-of-journalists-trade-unionists-and-other-citizen-court-obervers-in-hong-kong/

#NationalSecurityLaw #CCP #June4 #ChowHangTung

Source: The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China; #Apr6
Image source: RFA; #Apr8

-----
Related article:
Hong Kong #NationalSecurityPolice arrest 6 under sedition law over ‘causing nuisance’ during court hearings
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32529
.