Workers and protesters holding a defaced portrait of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing and banners reading “right of collective negotiation,” “low pay subsidy” and “retire security” march to the government’s office during a May Day rally in Hong Kong Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Hundreds of workers, local labor rights groups and striking dockworkers joined the annual May Day rally in Hong Kong to fight for better wages and working conditions. Photo by Associated Press
Truck drivers, domestic helpers, striking dockers – they came from different walks of life, but the thousands of people who joined yesterday’s two Labour Day marches were united in their demand for better working conditions.
The Confederation of Trade Unions said a record 5,000 people took part in its march from Victoria Park to government headquarters in Admiralty before ending near tycoon Li Ka-shing’s Cheung Kong Center in Central. Police said 3,700 people joined the rally.
Many of the signs and banners called for legislation on standard working hours, a collective bargaining law and an annual review of the minimum wage.
“The turnout was a record high this year because the dockers’ strike has let Hong Kong people become aware of how the city’s workers are treated. Can you imagine having no toilet break or meal break?” said, Lee Cheuk-yan, the confederation’s general secretary.
Taking the lead on the march were the 450 dockers who walked off the job 36 days ago at the Kwai Tsing container terminals, where a subsidiary of Li’s Hutchison Whampoa runs five terminals. Among them was Li Pak-kung, who came with his wife Wang Xiu-ying and son, Li Cheuk-fung, eight. “I would not have lasted so long in the strike without their support. With it, I can go on for as long as 60 days. No problem at all,” Li said.