Lee Cheuk-yan, former General Secretary of the now-dissolved Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), has been imprisoned since 2021. He faces ongoing prosecution for allegedly “inciting subversion of state power” — a charge that criminalises peaceful activism and silences pro-democracy voices.
For decades, Lee argued that trade unions must be grounded in independence, democracy and justice. Those principles shaped the founding of the HKCTU in 1994, where he served for years as General Secretary. Under his leadership, HKCTU became the only independent, democratic trade union centre on Chinese soil — representing workers across sectors and standing up to both corporate exploitation and political repression.
In 2019, Lee visited Australia and met with unionists at Sydney Trades Hall. His message was clear and urgent:
“Hong Kong is at the forefront of challenging authoritarian regimes. The fight in Hong Kong is also your fight!”
Today, those words resonate even more strongly.
Standing against authoritarianism
Australian unionists know that workplace rights are never guaranteed. The right to organise, bargain collectively and protest has been won through struggle and must be defended across borders.
What is happening in Hong Kong is not an isolated issue. Around the world, authoritarian governments are targeting trade unionists, restricting civil society and criminalising dissent. When union leaders are jailed for organising, it sends a chilling message to workers everywhere.
International solidarity is not symbolic; it is practical. When Australian unions speak out, it adds pressure. When global union federations mobilise, it reminds governments that workers are watching.
Lee Cheuk-yan stood with Australian unionists. Now it’s our turn to stand with him.
Mark Morey, Secretary of Unions NSW, who met Lee on his visit to Australia in December 2019, said:
“Unions NSW joins the International Trade Union Confederation’s call for democracy and labour rights activist and leader of the former Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) Lee Cheuk-yan’s immediate release from prison.
Workers’ rights are human rights. Along with the international trade union movement, we stand in solidarity with Lee and every worker and organisation that courageously defends democracy and freedom of association in Hong Kong and across the world.”
Join us in raising the following demands to the Hong Kong government:
- Drop all charges against Lee Cheuk-yan.
- Drop all charges against Chow Hang-tung , who faces similar accusations.
- Release all trade unionists and activists imprisoned for exercising their rights.
- Repeal the National Security Law (NSL) and the National Security Ordinance (NSO).
- Respect international human rights standards, including freedom of association and expression.
How can unionists support?
Here’s how you can turn solidarity into action:
1. Share the campaign: Post on social media, include it in your union newsletter, and raise it at meetings. Political prisoners are often isolated — visibility matters.
3. Sign and circulate the petition: Encourage delegates, organisers and members to add their names and share it across networks. Amnesty International petition: Free Jailed Hong Kong Activists
4. Write to your local MP: Ask them to raise concerns about the imprisonment of trade unionists in Hong Kong and to advocate for international labour rights in diplomatic forums.
5. Connect it to your organising: Host a short discussion at your next meeting about why international solidarity strengthens workers’ power at home. Let us know if you need support at activists@apheda.org.au