Report points out that Hong Kong's "mosquito union" has tripled its current director: If an oath is required, he will consider disbanding

The "Hong Kong Labor Rights Monitor" in the UK released the 2023 "Hong Kong Labor Situation Report", stating that Hong Kong's labor population is aging rapidly due to the wave of immigration; while more than 200 trade unions have dissolved or canceled their registration, the number of "mosquito unions" has soared 3 times. Some union directors revealed that they receive "warm reminders" from official organizations to be careful from time to time. They also said that once the Hong Kong government requires directors to swear an oath in accordance with the National Security Law, they will seriously consider the union's whereabouts. Meng Zhaoda, director-general of the "Labor Rights Supervision", believes that, The Hong Kong government is using another method to crack down on the power of trade unions, and it is expected that the "disbandment wave" will continue.

Hong Kong’s labor force is aging rapidly due to the immigration wave, and the number of “mosquito-shaped labor unions” has tripled

The "Hong Kong Labor Rights Monitor" released the 2023 " Hong Kong Labor Situation Report " last Wednesday (24th) , stating that in addition to Hong Kong's economy still not returning to pre-epidemic levels, China's economic slowdown and economic structural problems have also brought negative consequences to Hong Kong's economy. Negative impact. Under the influence of the immigration wave, the problem of labor aging has worsened sharply. Among them, the working population aged 20 to 24 and 25 to 29 dropped sharply by 30% and 1.5% compared with 2019, while the working population over 65 years old surged by 30%, and is now 60 The working population aged 10 to 15 years old accounts for about 15% of the total.

As for the number of trade unions, the report stated that in addition to more than 10 trade union leaders being arrested and trade unionists overseas being wanted by the Hong Kong government, from 2021 to 2023 alone, a total of 218 trade unions have decided to dissolve or cancel their registration on their own, and Two trade unions have been banned by the Hong Kong government. Although the number of "mosquito unions" with less than 50 members at the same time has tripled to 813, it is expected that after the Teachers Association completes the dissolution process, the number of overall union members will be one-sixth less than before 2019. The report also pointed out that in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for trade unions to recruit or retain new and old members. With the completion of Article 23 legislation, the survival space of trade unions is expected to be further narrowed.

Trade union director: Receive "warm reminders" from time to time and will consider whether to stay or leave if required to take oath in accordance with the National Security Law

Jane (pseudonym), a union director, revealed in an interview with this station that unions now need to operate very carefully, and will consider whether it is illegal when planning activities or formulating benefits. She also said that she will receive "warm reminders" from time to time.

Jane (pseudonym) said: "Because the official agencies involved in the union will regularly review the operation of the union, we also have to submit reports to them. In fact, sometimes they will also 'warmly remind' us to be careful, but they will not say anything explicitly, that is In fact, if they clearly stated where the red line was, I would know, but they just said, "Be careful," but what should I be careful about? I have to see the red line to know not to step on it."

She said that the loss of union members was serious, but fortunately, a certain amount of financial reserves had been passively accumulated during the epidemic, which could temporarily support the operation of the union. She also explained the reason why she still persisted.

Jane (pseudonym) said: "In fact, to establish a trade union back then, you had to go through five hurdles and six generals. It was really difficult to establish a trade union... because it was really hard to get to where we are today. In terms of fighting for rights and interests, We think the most basic thing is to persevere, so we don’t want to disband rashly even if it’s dangerous or hard.”

However, she said that there are currently rumors in Hong Kong that the government is considering requiring union directors and original founders to take an oath in accordance with the National Security Law. Once this day comes, it will seriously consider whether to continue the trade union path.

Jane (pseudonym) said: "Actually, we don't want to break the law, but it is because we don't know where the boundaries of a law are or what counts as a violation. If we take an oath, will we fall into a bigger trap? I don’t know, maybe this is a question we have to think about in the future whether we can continue.”

Meng Zhaoda: Trade unions are "fragmented" and members have greatly reduced their bargaining power. The Hong Kong government is suspected of changing its crackdown tactics

"Labor Rights Inspection" director general Mong Siu-tat said that the young working population has experienced a large-scale exodus due to the immigration wave caused by political reasons. However, the Hong Kong government has "invested indiscriminately" in an attempt to import "domestic professionals" and loosen restrictions on a large scale. The relaxation of restrictions on the entry of foreign workers into Hong Kong has caused a serious mismatch in the labor market. The unemployment problem of local workers in the catering and construction industries has become increasingly serious, causing local workers to be dissatisfied and "erupt at any time".

Under the attack of the National Security Law, representative trade unions have been "fragmented" after disbanding and become "mosquito-shaped trade unions" with fewer and fewer members, which will seriously weaken the representativeness and bargaining power of trade unions.

Meng Zhaoda said: "When you want to raise various demands for salary increases, improved benefits, etc., when the boss sees that your (union) number has decreased, he may not be able to take threatening industrial action, and the bargaining power will be greatly weakened."

The Hong Kong Journalists Association recently announced that a fundraising concert would be canceled due to "force majeure." A source from the Journalists Association told Ming Pao that some people said there was "no room for bargaining." Meng Zhaoda pointed out that under the National Security Law and Article 23, "the knife" has obviously been placed on the necks of many civil groups and their leaders, but at present they may not use tough measures to attack them.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association has been constantly targeted in recent years, and recently announced that it was forced to cancel a fundraising concert due to "force majeure". The last large-scale fundraising event held by the Journalists Association was the 53rd anniversary party held in December 2021.

Meng Zhaoda said: "Now the Hong Kong government may use some more insidious and cunning methods, because if it forces you (the union) to dissolve and pull people to seal the boat, it may be pressured by international public opinion, through 'dirty work' You, by not allowing you to hold activities and forcing you to disband by spreading fear, you can achieve the purpose of political purge while avoiding public opinion."

He expects that under the current haze of "white terror", the number of unions in Hong Kong will continue to shrink. In addition, as directors leave the industry or retire, there will be gaps among union directors. He believes that the "wave of dissolution" of unions will continue.