TUC support for Union of Hong Kong Dockers

Mr Gerry Yim Lui Fai
Managing Director
Hong Kong International Terminals
Terminal 4, Container Port Road South
Hong Kong
by email

Dear Mr Yim

Trades Union Congress support for the UHKD industrial dispute

On behalf of the British Trades Union Congress (TUC), the 6 million members of our affiliated unions and British Workers I write to expresses our strong support for the Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD), an affiliate of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), and the dock workers it represents and who are currently on strike in the container berths owned by Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT), a subsidiary of the Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT) and Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL).

We were shocked to learn about the hazardous working conditions of the dock workers employed at the berths you own and operate: working extremely long shifts for very low wages, facing health and safety risks on a daily basis, and without meals or toilet breaks. These workers are subject to conditions far below the international labour standards which should apply in Hong Kong, one of the world's top container ports.

We understand that HIT, owned by Hutchison Whampoa, has sought a court injunction to ban striking workers and members of the union from entering HIT's berths, without making any attempt to negotiate with the UHKD, in spite of the fact that it represents the majority of the workers. The TUC is very disappointed that an employer which owns and operates 320 berths in 26 different countries is proceeding in such a way.

The Hong Kong SAR government has ratified the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention 87, on Freedom of Association, and 98, on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, which protect the right of workers to organise and negotiate with employers over their working conditions without having to fear retaliation. It is therefore bound to implement and respect the principles enshrined in them. The TUCjoins the international trade union movement in urging you to ensure that Hong Kong does not fail its international obligations, we expect to see a fair and negotiated settlement of the strike, compliant with ILO standards.

We urge HIT, the HPHT and HWL to respect the dock workers' fundamental rights and support their demand for a fair remuneration and decent working conditions. We also ask HIT to recognise the UHKD for the purposes of collective bargaining.

Yours sincerely

FRANCES O'GRADY

General Secretary