National security law: Hong Kong’s biggest opposition trade union votes by overwhelming majority to disband
- Confederation of Trade Unions announced plans to break up in September, saying the national security law posed risks to the safety of members
- Membership votes in favour of dissolving, closing the curtains on the confederation’s 31 years in operation
The Confederation of Trade Unions’ (CTU) members on Sunday backed a resolution to cease operations by a vote of 57 to eight, with two abstentions, at an extraordinary general meeting held in its Kwai Chung training centre, meeting the four-fifths threshold required to officially dissolve.
Chairman Joe Wong Nai-yuen declined to elaborate on the motivation for disbanding, saying only: “The reason is obvious. We have nothing more to add except for what we had announced last time.”
The CTU is one of several opposition and activist groups that have been targeted by authorities since the Beijing-decreed security law took effect in June last year.
The confederation refuted the allegation, saying their links with international labour unions were legal and normal practice.
As for the confederation’s involvement in social movements in recent years, Wong said: “That is what a labour rights group should do. We fight for a fair and democratic society where no worker is exploited, and all people can enjoy their basic rights.”
