Hong Kong activist groups holding small rallies outside government headquarters on Labour Day were warned by police not to harm national security as part of an eight-point list of reminders. It comes after pro-Beijing and pro-democracy May 1 protests were canceled.
The League of Social Democrats (LSD) and the Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association held two separate, small gatherings outside the government offices in Admiralty on Monday.
Both groups called for better labour rights, with the LSD urging the government to establish standard working hours and increase the minimum wage.
The LSD also urged the government to implement universal suffrage such that workers would have a “real decision-making power.”
The women workers’ association said the government should provide more support for working women, including more support for caretakers.
The government should also establish a living wage, offer better protection to casual workers, and set up unemployment benefits, the association said.
May 1 mass demos axed
The two gatherings took place after the cancellation of planned Labour Day demonstrations.
Joe Wong, former chairperson of the disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, pulled his application for a police letter of no objection last Wednesday.
Denny To, another ex-HKCTU member, said that Wong was under tremendous pressure and had an “emotional meltdown” after meeting police. To said that Wong decided to withdraw the demonstration application, but he could not disclose further information due to stipulations in the Beijing-imposed national security law.
A pro-Beijing group also cancelled its plans for a Labour Day protest, days after a top Beijing official said protests were “not the only way” to air demands.
Mass demonstrations have become a rare sight in Hong Kong following the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of the security law. The police did not allow any mass demonstrations for three years, citing health concerns.
On Monday, a police officer read out an eight-point reminder to LSD Chairperson Chan Po-ying, and a member of the women workers’ association, before the two events took place.
Police told the groups that they must comply with the security legislation and inform police if they discover any activity that would harm national security.
The masked police officer also reminded them that the anti-mask law was still in place. He told Chan that the police have discretion on the execution of the mask ban after the chairperson questioned the officer.
The mask ban was implemented by then-chief executive Carrie Lam with emergency powers during the 2019 extradition bill protests. Offenders risk a year in jail and a fine of HK$25,000.
Dozens of police officers were stationed around government headquarters as the two rallies took place. An officer stopped the women workers’ association from unfurling and walking with a banner, saying that they were only allowed to show the banner when standing outside the headquarters.
The LSD’s Chan said that she was disappointed that there was no protest in Hong Kong on Labour Day, and questioned why the police could not facilitate the organisation of protests.
“Yesterday thousands of citizens gathered at Causeway Bay, and the police helped maintain public order,” said Chan, in reference to a gathering of fans for a local singer’s birthday.
“But why on Labour Day, a more important protest, the police could not help so that the protest could go ahead?”
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