Latest news with #TradeUnionsOrdinance
RTHK
15 hours ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Legco passes bill to amend Trade Unions Ordinance
Legco passes bill to amend Trade Unions Ordinance Labour chief Chris Sun says the bill aims to better safeguard national security. Photo: RTHK Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to amend the Trade Unions Ordinance, giving the government office responsible for administering these groups more power to supervise and regulate them. Authorities welcomed the decision and said the changes would help trade unions 'better fulfill the duty of safeguarding national security.' "The amended Trade Unions Ordinance can ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to the healthy development of trade unions," a government spokesman said. The amendments take into account the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join such groups and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions, the government added. The bill will be gazetted on July 4 and take effect on January 5.
South China Morning Post
17-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to jail, fine national security offenders that hold office in unions
People convicted of national security offences found to be holding office in a trade union could be sentenced to three years' imprisonment and fined HK$50,000 (US$6,440) under proposed legal amendments gazetted by the Hong Kong government on Thursday. Advertisement Authorities can also reject trade union applications and mergers if there are national security concerns and ban those convicted of national security offences from registering new unions, according to the proposed changes to the Trade Unions Ordinance, expected to take effect in October. A government spokesman announced on Thursday that the changes aimed to strengthen the regulation of such labour organisations and to safeguard national security and promote the development of unions, adding that the bill would be introduced to the Legislative Council later this month. 'At the same time, the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions, and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions,' the spokesman said. According to the proposals, the Registrar of Trade Unions can reject registration for a new trade union or the merging of existing ones 'if it is necessary for safeguarding national security'. Advertisement The registrar would also have the power to ban anyone convicted of a national security offence from holding office in a trade union, or signing any applications for the registration of one. Those found contravening this new requirement could be sentenced to three years' imprisonment and fined HK$50,000. Union officers would be required to make an application to the registrar if any 'external force' offered to make a donation, and refrain from accepting the donation before the registrar's approval.
South China Morning Post
27-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Stronger oversight of Hong Kong's unions can help them to boost development
Hong Kong's workforce has a vital role to play in helping the city grow its economy and develop. Advertisement This will require the right balance to be struck between furthering business interests and those of employees. Trade unions have a duty to protect the rights of their members. But they must also operate responsibly and lawfully. Labour groups are set to come under increased scrutiny, with changes to the Trade Unions Ordinance to go before the Legislative Council next month. They will require unions to keep records and provide officials with a power to search their premises to check documents such as accounts, a register of members and minutes of meetings. Wider scope will be given to the Registry of Trade Unions to reject applications to register, amalgamate or change the name of such groups. Advertisement Unions also will be required to seek approval before receiving funds from outside Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau. The government said the changes were part of broader moves to align the framework for social organisations with national security laws. But they also are intended to improve the management of unions.
South China Morning Post
19-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong trade unions face tougher scrutiny under proposed law change
Hong Kong trade unions face more stringent scrutiny of their affiliations with external organisations under a proposal to expand the power of labour officials and align their operational requirements with national security laws. The Labour Department said on Wednesday that its proposed amendments to the Trade Unions Ordinance included regulating unions' receipt and use of funds provided by an 'external' force and their affiliation with organisations located in an 'external' place. Under the proposal, 'external' refers to places outside Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau, in alignment with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The existing law governs only the unions' connections with groups in a 'foreign country' with less scrutiny of various areas when compared with the proposed changes. 'We [seek to] amend the proposal to specifically strengthen national security without unnecessarily expanding the scope,' Raymond Ho Kam-biu, deputy commissioner for Labour (Labour Administration), said. The amendment requires trade unions to seek approval from the Registrar of Trade Unions to receive funds from external forces by declaring the source and use of the money. If the funds are approved, they cannot be used in designated local elections. Trade union officers will also be barred from assuming office in a non-affiliated organisation in an external place without the approval of the chief executive.
