Dear Mr. Victor Lo Chung Wing,
Gold Legal Action against the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions
Union Network International (UNI), the global union which represents over 15 million members in 900 unions in over 150 countries worldwide is deeply concerned about the legal action you have taken against the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), together with two other local Hong Kong labour groups, Globalisation Monitor and the Neighbourhood and Workers’ Service Centre.
We understand that they are facing a summons from the High Court for damages, further to a joint postcard highlighting concerns over the cadmium poisoning and excessive exposure to cadmium of battery workers in your factories. According to many reports, some 400 workers from at least two GP factories (Xianjin and Chaoba) have been found to have excessive cadmium levels while 10 workers have already been diagnosed as having cadmium poisoning. Many are now facing huge medical bills and are unable to find new employment, yet only four percent of the 400 workers affected have received compensation from the GP Fund so far.
UNI firmly support the right of the HKCTU, a respected and legitimate trade union organisation affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), to take up the cause of these workers, who are denied freedom of association under Chinese law. The workers have been remarkably brave and united in their fight for compensation and deserve to be listened to and not silenced.
UNI strongly urge you to drop any legal action against the HKCTU and the two other groups immediately and concentrate instead on negotiating a fair compensation package for the workers involved.
I look forward to a positive response.