Dock Workers on Strike Require Support

The ILWU Canada received an email requesting support from dock workers in Hong Kong:

To whom it may concern,

Across the Pacific, in Hong Kong docks operated by Hutchison, there are several hundred contracted workers asked to work long hour shifts – 16 hour shifts without break, under unsafe environment with pour hygiene. Their current salary level is even lower than 1997’s salary level in terms of dollar value, without factoring in the inflation adjustment – not to mention they have no pension nor any medical coverage.

Last week, these contracted workers decided to work off the job and asked for a salary raise and reasonable working environment. However, port operators and the contracting companies refused to negotiate with the workers, they even threatened the on strike workers that they will get sacked if they do not return to work. It is obvious that the port operator wants to bust the strike, maybe the union as well, rather than providing fair compensation to the workers.

It is a tough war for the workers – they are low paid, with their jobs on the line. Their opponent Hutchison, is chaired by the Li Ka Shing, the 8th richest man in the world (and yes, he has Canadian citizenship as well). It goes way beyond “David vs Goliath” level. As a Hong Kong-born Canadian citizen, I have deep sympathy for these workers, yet there is nothing much I could do for them. Hence I am writing this letter to you, humbly asking if ILWU Canada can write a letter to show its support to these workers across the ocean – to let these workers know, they are not fighting alone.

I have attached some article links for your reference:

• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205722/grim-life-dock-workhorse
• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205719/port-rejects-dockers-pay-claims
• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205482/dockers-continue-strike-despite-sacking-threat

If ILWU Canada is willing to show its warm support, please address the letter to Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), which organizes the strike. Its email address is hkctu@hkctu.org.hk.

International Trade Union Confederation and All Japan Dockworkers’ Union have shown their support (link attached below), but the more support we can provide – even it is just a letter – these workers can stand stronger to fight for the compensation they deserve.

• http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/59717_556083377765273_734008175_n.jpg
• http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/c0.34.403.403/p403x403/553012_10151386836108543_1101872827_n.jpg

Yours sincerely,

Chi-ho Ho