The peak body for working people in Australia has shown solidarity for the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) general strike in Hong Kong as part of ongoing protests.
The HKCTU has called for two general strikes this week on September 2 and 3 after it held its first highly effective general strike on August 5. Hundreds of thousands of workers took part in the August 5 general strike.
The strike was called as a response to the use of excessive force against protestors in Hong Kong. Working people in Hong Kong were sacked for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. The broader protest movement in Hong Kong have set out five demands:
- Permanent withdrawal of the extradition law;
- Release of the arrested protestors without charge;
- Withdrawal by the authorities of their characterisation of the 12 June protests as “riots”;
- An independent investigation into police violence and abuse of power – and;
- Implementation of universal suffrage.
Quotes attributable to ACTU Assistant Secretary Scott Connolly
“We are standing in solidarity today with our sisters and brothers in Hong Kong.
“We call on the authorities in Hong Kong to respect worker rights and accept the demands as set out by the HKCTU and the broader movement.
