Four new unions affiliated to the HKCTU in the latter half of 2003. The Cleaning Service Industry Workers’ Union, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, the British Airways Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association and the Union of Government Amenities Assistants.  All these unions are organising in difficult circumstances and we are extremely proud to have them under the HKCTU umbrella. 

 July 2003          HKCTU surveyed 319 young people on their responses to the labour Department’s Youth Placement Scheme, an employment plan for young job seekers. Many criticised the programme for its poor training standards. Over 44 per cent of respondents were still unemployed at the time of the survey.

 Aug 1 2003        HKCTU held a seminar on WTO agreements and their impact on Hong Kong. The General Agreement in Trade and Services (GATS) was discussed by 30 participants who focused on the WTO’s continuing lack of transparency and pro-business agenda.

Sep 14 2003      HKCTU joined more than 200 people demonstrating against the WTO. Global Network Hong Kong, an umbrella group which organised the march,  pointed out that there can be no excuse for the failure of the WTO to address the concerns of ordinary workers and farmers. “Their demands were stated loud and clear to the officials attending the Cancun WTO ministerial meeting”.

Oct 26 2003      No to Subsidy cut, Sustain Good Public Service. A rally and march was held to protest the Hong Kong government’s cuts on education, medical services and social welfare. Over 1,000 people took part.

Nov 23 2003      For the first time HKCTU ran three candidates in elections to three different local district councils. Two were successful, Tsoi Yiu-cheong and Elaine Tsoi.

Nov 29-30  2003 Conference on Chinese Workers and China accession to WTO. Over 60 unionists, including international delegates, discussed the current situation of Chinese workers and the impact of WTO membership on employment and working conditions. Issues discussed included strategies and co-operation with global unions in support of labour rights in China. (see article on page 6)

Dec 7-14 2003   Trade Union Rights Week. HKCTU organised a mobile exhibition to raise general awareness of trade unions. At one event, 895 shoppers voted McDonald’s as Hong Kong’s worst employer. 

Dec 14 2003      HKCTU Walkathon. HKCTU announced its intention to run candidates in the September 2004 Legislative Council Election. The Walkathon event raised HK$400,000 (US$51,000) for the election campaign chest.

Jan 2004           New Year’s Day March. Main slogan: “Return Democracy to the People, Improve our Livelihood”. HKCTU, along with members of Civil Human Rights Front, launched the first march of 2004 as part of the ongoing struggle for democracy. Over 100,000 people took part in the march.