The Immigration Department Staff Association has sent a letter to its members “sincerely recommending” candidates from the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions ahead of the Legislative Council elections this Sunday.

In a letter sent to its members on August 19, the union said: “Fellow comrades, we need to take concrete action to help Hong Kong get back on the right track. September 4 is the day of the Legislative Council elections, and it’s a crucial date in terms of whether we can turn crises into opportunities in relation to Hong Kong’s future.”

Wong Kwok-hing (second left). Photo: GovHK.
Wong Kwok-hing (second left). Photo: GovHK.

“The union sincerely recommends candidate no. 806 Wong Kwok-hing for the District Council (second) constituency, and candidate no. 1 Wong Kwok-kin for the Kowloon East constituency.”

Both candidates belong to the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and the letter was marked as an “election advertisement.” The union is a member of the Government Employees Association under the FTU. Wong Kwok-kin has made a declaration for the election advertisement in accordance with procedures, according to Stand News.

immigration dept staff asso letter
The letter sent by the Immigration Department’s Staff Association. Photo: Stand News.

The letter criticised filibustering, saying that it has lead to disciplinary forces not getting the funding they need, and commended Wong Kwok-hing for his anti-filibustering efforts. It also said that Wong Kwok-kin has worked hard to ensure the welfare of front-line forces.

The union, responding to inquiries by Apple Daily, said that the letter was only sent to members who lived in Kowloon East and was merely a recommendation.

james to
James To. Photo: 涂謹申個人網頁 via Facebook.

The Hong Kong Clerical Grades Civil Servants General Union also sent out an email to its members that recommended the Democratic Party’s James To Kun-sun. To has provided duty lawyer services to the group since the 1990s. The union’s Leung Chau-ting said that all relevant documents were submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office in accordance with the declaration procedure.

Karen is a journalist and writer covering politics and legal affairs in Hong Kong for HKFP. She has also written features on human rights, public space, regional legal developments, social and grassroots activism, and arts & culture. She is a BA and LLB graduate from the University of Hong Kong.