Hong Kong demonstrators are under attack by a militarized police force. Photo by Wally Santana, Associated Press.
[Click here to sign the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions’ letter of support.]
The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) – the only independent union in China – has called for workers to strike in support of the democracy movement as mass civil disobedience actions come under heavy police attack, and has asked the international community to sign on to a letter of support, addressed to PRC President Xi Jinping.
The HKCTU writes, “The Chinese government has broken its promise for implementing true democracy in Hong Kong. On 28 September the Hong Kong government deployed anti-riot police and fired tear gas at tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. We call for support of the international community and send protest letters to PRC President Xi Jinping and HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying.
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 etc have been blocked. Independent trade unions are discriminated by the employers; and would have no room to survive without political democracy.