Role of Trade Unions and how the recession is affecting Hong Kong

Ms Chan Yuen-han, Legislative Councillor for the Federation of Trade Unions, was the Foundation's guest speaker on 26 October 1998. This is a summary of her remarks.

Role of the union

The role of the union is to protect the rights of the workers in their employment and livelihood. When workers' rights are being enfringed, the union has to stand on the side of the workers, to fight for their rights, and reasonable treatment from the employer. In recent cases of lay-offs and salary reduction, the participation of the union was very prominent.

The Union's five functions

1. Protection of workers' rights - whether it is economic, employees' professional dignity and social justice, the union should play the role of workers' protector.
2. Organizer - The union unites and organizes workers to form a powerful organization.
3. Professionalism - The union possesses thorough professional knowledge and experience in labour legislation and the employment market.
4. Mediator - In management and labour negotiation, the union can play the role of mediator to soften and deflect the friction between the two sides and help to reach a point of balance taking into consideration the interests of both sides.
5. Policy catalyst. The union can persuade the government to consider labour interests when enacting legislation.

The recession's effect on the workers

The recession caused many enterprises to shut down, cut staff and reduce salaries. The workers became the greatest victim of the recession.

Economy - unemployment reduces workers' income and their standard of living continues to deteriorate.

Family - When the pillar of the family collapes, family life is seriously affected.

Self esteem drops - The unemployed faces the problems of depression, loss of self esteem and dignity, and sometimes face serious emotional problems, even suicide.

Effects on society

1. When workers' income falls, consumption also falls and prolongs economic recovery.
2. Unemployment is more predominant among the young. This causes social instability.
3. The numbers of unemployed seeking CSSA assistance increases. This aggravates society's burden.

Burden-sharing

In a recession, all sectors of the society should face the difficulties together, and should not place all the burden on the workers.

Required attitudes from all sides

1. Employers - When in difficulties, the employers should discuss the problem with workers cordially to find a satisfactory solution. The employers should not suppress the workers and exploit the workers in difficult times.
2. Government - The Government should have the ability to handle crisis and actively implement public policies to solve the crisis. The reserves should be used to stimulate the economy, to create employment, to ease people's difficulties, and to help early economic recovery.
3. Union - The unions should tell the society workers' difficult conditions, and help the Government to formulate appropriate policies to ensure just and reasonable treatment of workers.
4. Workers - Workers should help themselves by facing difficult times positively until the time of recovery.

The above summary does not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation.