International Solidarity (ICFTU, Union Statements)
ITUC
2007 Annual Survey of violations of trade union rights
Fierce anti-unionism ravages Asia:
- No Progress in China
- Hong Kong union rights ignored
- Protestors tear gassed in Macau
Asia holds the sorry record of being the continent with the highest number of trade union linked arrests and mass dismissals. According to conservative estimates published by the ITUC in its Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Unions Rights, at least 4,800 Asian workers were dismissed for their trade union involvement in 2006 and over 2,800 were arrested. This practice of getting rid of unionised workers by means of dismissals, arrests or even beatings and murders showed no signs of waning in 2007.
China
Once again, many workers found themselves detained or arrested, charged and imprisoned for their involvement in collective protest action during the year in the People's Republic of China, where trade union rights are not respected. Workers are prevented by law from organising outside the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), which is bound by its constitution to accept the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Trade Union Law bans workers from organising independently.
Over 100 workers were arrested and jailed for taking part in collective protests. The official “trade union” did nothing to defend them. There are reports that several activists are suffering from mental illness as a result of the ill treatment in prison or work camps. One victim of Beijing’s brutal repression is teacher Zhang Shanguang, who was sentenced to ten years imprisonment after being convicted of “threatening national security” for attempting to set up an independent trade union. The ITUC received reports that he was being subjected to ill treatment and torture, which were intensified when he tried to improve the conditions in the prison. He suffers from tuberculosis and heart disease, and is nonetheless forced to perform hard labour in shackles.
Hong Kong
Despite some protection in labour law, workers and unions have little opportunity for defending their rights in practice. Collective bargaining rights are regularly ignored, as university staff discovered during the year. Trade union and community groups faced prosecution for campaigning to support a compensation claim by hundreds of workers affected by cadmium exposure.
Macau
Legislation is not favourable to trade unions and workers wishing to protect their rights. Freedom of association is guaranteed in law but does not extend to public servants or migrant workers. Collective bargaining is not guaranteed.
Founded on 1 November 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 305 national affiliates.
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