Event Summary
The Hong Kong government has introduced an amendment to the Trade Unions Ordinance aimed at ensuring national security. The proposed bill, which was submitted for first reading in the Legislative Council, seeks to prevent individuals convicted of violating national security laws from holding leadership positions within trade unions or initiating new union registrations. Under the current law, individuals convicted of crimes, such as fraud or membership in criminal organizations, face a five-year ban from union roles. However, the new proposal would impose a lifetime ban on individuals convicted of endangering national security from holding union positions. Secretary for Labour and Welfare stated that violating national security is far more serious than joining a criminal gang and that those convicted could be reintegrated into society, but they should not be allowed to hold leadership roles in unions. The bill would also make it impossible for such individuals to be exempted from the ban by special approval from the Chief Executive.