Unionists want Labor Day talk, not protest

The president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, Stanley Ng Chau-pei, announced that the organization will not be organizing a protest on Labor Day.

Instead, the FTU plans to invite government officials, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, to engage in direct discussions with workers.

During a press conference held yesterday, Ng dismissed concerns that the decision not to organize a Labor Day march would hinder labor rights.

He said the FTU's activities are planned independently without any external interference. "We place great importance on labor rights and occupational safety. We will continue to represent employees' demands through various channels, which we believe will better exemplify the spirit of International Workers' Day," Ng said. "We are not concerned and we are not trying to distance ourselves from anything. We have the option to choose how and where we voice our concerns, but we believe that our current plan is the most effective from our perspective."

When asked about the circumstances under which the FTU would resume the annual Labor Day march, which has been on hold since 2020 due to the anti-fugitive bill protests and the pandemic, Ng sidestepped the question.

"The mechanism for organizing a demonstration is well-established and it will proceed as it should. We are not worried," he said.

Kingsley Wong Kwok, the party's chairman, said that this would be the first time government officials are being invited to visit laborers, which in his opinion demonstrates the government's recognition of the labor sector's value.

The FTU also announced a series of activities under the theme of "promoting the value of labor, protecting employees' rights and facilitating sufficient and quality employment" leading up to Labor Day.

These activities include a cocktail reception, a Labor Day joint declaration within the labor sector, the submission of policy suggestions and demands to the government in the coming week and the invitation of mainland model laborers to attend summits and exchange sessions in Hong Kong next month.

Among the demands put forth by the FTU are the strengthening of Hong Kong's occupational education and training and the government's close monitoring of the labor and expert import scheme to ensure that local employees are given priority in job opportunities.

"Authorities should enhance protection in the new employment environment and refine the tripartite consultation mechanism involving the government, employees and employers," Ng said. "Hong Kong has entered a new phase, transitioning from stability to prosperity. The new labor movement should take the lead in initiating a patriotic labor movement and promote high-quality development."