Hong Kong: new law curtails trade union activity
The NUJ has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IF) in criticising anti-union legislation passed by the Hong Kong government.
The Trade Union (Amendment) Bill, introduced in April, gives authorities increased powers to deregister unions, prohibit union activity, and ban affiliation with “foreign forces.”
On 4 July the government revised the bill to further constrain workers’ collective rights. From January 2026 union registration can be denied on unspecified national security grounds. The Registrar of Trade Unions will be allowed to enter union premises and seize documents without a warrant. Meanwhile unions must notify Hong Kong’s Chief Executive before affiliating with overseas organisations.
National security has been used as a pretext to restrict civic space since the introduction of the National Security Law that sparked mass protests in 2020. Nearly 250 unions have dissolved with the city’s most prominent trade unionists incarcerated or exiled. The updated legislation will mean that those deemed a danger to national security will be banned from leading or forming unions.
The government crackdown has also curtailed press freedom. Numerous journalists and independent media organisations have been disproportionately targeted with arbitrary tax audits in recent years.
The NUJ joins the IFJ in urging Hong Kong authorities to uphold trade union autonomy and restore workers’ fundamental rights as protected under international law.
The IFJ said:
“Denying trade union registration on vague national security grounds without a meaningful right to appeal undermines the rule of law, suppresses grassroots organising, and weakens workers’ collective bargaining power. The IFJ stands in solidarity with Hong Kong’s embattled trade union community and urges the authorities to uphold constitutional commitments to workers’ rights and ensure all unions can operate freely and without fear of reprisal.”