Finance Sector Union Eyes 'long-term' Strike

A union of financial workers said on Monday that it’s looking to organise a long-term strike to press Beijing to withdraw its national security law for the SAR.

However, the Hong Kong Financial Industry Employee General Union says the action will go ahead only if it can increase its membership 200-fold – from the current 500 people to 100,000 – within two weeks.

Union chairman, Easy Kwok, insisted this goal isn’t far-fetched, saying there’s been a flood of new applications since Beijing announced its intention to impose national security legislation in the SAR last month.

“There are a lot of members commenting they are very worried about [the implementation of this law] in Hong Kong – not only about freedom but also about their jobs in the future”, Kwok said.

Kwok estimates that around 300,000 people work in the finance sector in Hong Kong, and if a third of them go on strike, there will definitely be an impact.

His union is planning to set up street booths and hold online seminars to attract more members.

"We're trying to see if we can organise a rally," he added

Kwok said even if they end up falling short of their target, the union could take other action like, like working-to-rule, or organising a petition.

He’s convinced that Beijing’s controversial plans for a security law will have serious effects on Hong Kong’s status as a financial hub, and its economy.

The National People’s Congress last week overwhelmingly approved plans to enact national security legislation here, but details of the new law haven’t been drawn up yet.