The Chinese government committed to develop democracy in Hong Kong after the handover in 1997 in the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984. Further in 2007, the National People’s Congress (NPC) passed a resolution agreeing that the Hong Kong Chief Executive would be elected by universal suffrage in 2017. Since the handover, people in Hong Kong have been demanding the Hong Kong and Chinese government for democratic elections. Yet against the will of the people in Hong Kong, the Chinese government has broken its promise. While agreeing to universal suffrage in 2017, the NPC passed the plan on 31 August 2014 in Beijing to ensure control in future elections of the Hong Kong Chief Executive by means of a nomination committee. A number of abstract, unreasonable criteria for the candidacy were laid down including patriotism and loyalty subject to Beijing’s interpretation.Workers, students and citizens in Hong Kong are anguished by the NPC’s decision. Thousands of students boycotted classes since 22 September. Many more students and citizens assembled outside the government house every day after 26 September. On 28 September the Hong Kong government deployed anti-riot police and fired tear gas at tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. Many were injured and more were infuriated by the police’s suppression. The demonstrators have not quitted despite the violence. They are still gathering and blocking the main roads in Hong Kong now and the student unions of the universities have declared a class boycott until the Hong Kong government reacts to their demands.
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) appeals to all the workers in Hong Kong for a general strike to condemn the violence and suppression of peaceful demonstrations. Our members including the Swire Beverages (Hong Kong) Employees General Union, the Union of Hong Kong Dockers, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Employees General Union, support the call for a general strike; and are determined to side with the students and citizens in Hong Kong. We anticipate the participation of our members and workers in Hong Kong to force a concession from the government until the people’s demands have been answered.
Not elected by one-man-one vote, the government of Hong Kong has shown a clear pro-capitalist position in labour, welfare and public policies at the expense of workers’ interests and the independent trade unions. Pro-labour legislations on collective bargaining, standard working hours and universal social security have been blocked. Independent trade unions are discriminated by the employers; and would have no room to survive without political democracy.
HKCTU calls the international trade unions to join us and support the democratic movement in Hong Kong. We demand that,
- The Hong Kong government stop using violence against the protestors and ensure the right to peaceful demonstration. The government should bear the responsibility of violent suppression of protest.
- The Chinese National People’s Congress recall the plan on the political elections in Hong Kong passed on 31 August 2014 and commit to ensuring free, fair and genuine political elections in Hong Kong.
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