Hong Kong

428 International Workers Memorial Day Statement on Gold Peak and Cadmium Poisoning
Hong Kong Trade Union and Labour Groups

 —Hong Kong Teachers’ Union (PTU) has stopped ordering GP batteries. Retailers should use their purchasing power to urge GP to meet workers’ demands

Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Hong Kong [hereafter GP] owns GP batteries. From the end of 2003, as a result of Gold Peak’s long-term negligence in production safety, 400 workers have been affected by cadmium through their work at GP plants both in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Since the first case of poisoning was exposed, the number of workers affected by cadmium poisoning in three GP’s mainland plants [NOTE !] has increased from two to 21 and in its Hong Kong plant three workers still suffer from cadmium poisoning. Today 250 workers are still suffering from excessive cadmium levels and need annual medical checkups. This reveals that the problems concerning cadmium exposure is in fact deepening, instead of diminishing and being resolved.

The poisonings at GP and the subsequent struggle by workers for full and fair compensation and other terms has already lasted for more than four years and GP has so far refused to meet workers’ major demands [NOTE 2]. Although there has been major media attention with huge local and international pressure, GP continues to show a surprising lack of responsibility and sense of justice.

In February 2008, after learning the incident of GP cadmium poisoning of workers, Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU)--the strongest and most vocal teachers’ union in HK and has 80,000 union members--decided to stop ordering from GP and stop selling GP batteries at its two big supermarkets, which are very popular among teachers and their families. PTU insisted that only when workers’ demands are satisfactorily met, would it consider re-ordering GP products. PTU also urged GP to arrange a meeting with the Hong Kong groups and workers’ representatives, but until today GP refuses to accept PTU’s request.

We have sent letters to major local retailers such as Welcome, Parknshop, Broadway, Circle K and 7-Eleven and invite them to urge Gold Peak to face up to its corporate social responsibilities, and meet workers’ major demands immediately.

Two GP women workers now working at a GP plant have developed kidney diseases. Instead of taking up its full responsibility, GP has been trying hard to prevent these workers to prove their health situation is caused by cadmium exposure.

Globalization Monitor
ITUC/GUF/HKCTU Hong Kong Liaison Office
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions

For enquiries, please contact:
May Wong, Globalization Monitor
Dominique Muller, ITUC/GUF/HKCTU Hong Kong Liaison Office
Elizabeth Tang, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions

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