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On November 29-30, 2004,
HKCTU helped to organise a conference on the ¡§Impact of
WTO membership on Chinese Workers¡¨ held in conjunction
with the Honk Kong Liaison Office of the ICFTU/GUF/HKCTU/HKTUC/IHLO
and Hong Kong City University. Over 60 unionists,
including international delegates, took part.
HKCTU presented a paper on the changing situation of the
Chinese working class over the last two years. Ma Weipin
of the IUF-APRO presented a research paper on working
conditions in China¡¦s international hotel
sector, also compiled by the HKCTU for the IUF. The
discussions included present and future strategies and
co-operation with global unions in support of labour and
trade union rights in China. The conference did not
issue a formal statement but reached the following
conclusions that will be included in the final report:
¡±
Promotion of freedom of
association remains at the core of our work in promoting
labour and trade union rights in China.
¡±
The Chinese working class ¡V
including internal migrant labour ¡V is central to the
process of democratisation in China. While initiatives
and support from the international trade union movement
are vital, we must be aware that this cannot be a
substitute for Chinese workers themselves.
¡±
There is a need for a larger
international conference addressing the impact ¡V both in
China and elsewhere ¡V of China¡¦s integration into the
global trading system, especially with regard to China¡¦s
increasingly dominant export sector. This conference
should be held in 2004.
¡±
The role of the IHLO needs
to be strengthened if it is to be effective in tracking,
analysing, and campaigning on labour issues in China.
¡±
MNCs are our strongest
potential ¡¥entry point¡¦ for direct contact with Chinese
workers. Work in this area needs to be stepped up a
gear.
¡±
As China-related questions
become more complex, it is necessary to organise a
network of union-friendly experts, both Chinese and
non-Chinese, who are working on Chinese labour issues.
¡±
A lack of trade union
consciousness remains a major obstacle to Chinese
workers. Despite some progress, avenues to spread such a
consciousness within China need to be further explored.
¡±
We need to organise more
systematic work and campaigns on prisoners.
HKCTU will be releasing a final research report and
records of the conference proceedings in April 2004.
Please contact Michael Siu
ihlo@hkctu.org.hk
for copies |
