Hong Kong port workers threaten to extend strike

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http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/hong-kong-port-workers-threaten-extend-strike

Hong Kong port workers, now into their third week of industrial action, are threatening to escalate their strike if their demands are not met. The issue puts pressure on Hong Kong as a world leading container terminal.

Mr Lee, a port worker, has barely seen a rise in his income in the last 10 years.

“I’ve been working in this industry for 20 years. There’s been two adjustments both in wage reduction and increment, but the rate was very low. Basically, there’s no fringe benefits, we only had paid leave in recent years. My monthly income isn’t steady. I earn HK$15,000-$16,000 (S$2,400-S$2,550) during the high season, and less than HK$10,000 for the low season. Of course, it’s difficult to support a family,” he said.

The Union of Hong Kong Dockers, which has 450 workers on strike, are demanding a 15 to 20 per cent pay rise and better working conditions.

Mr Lee said: “We’re demanding a wage increment, but our employer can’t meet our requested pay rise. I bought vegetables at HK$12 for two catties before the Lunar New Year. Now it’s HK$20 for one catty last week. How can our wages compete with inflation?”

Thousands of Hong Kong residents have rallied support for these workers, and so far donations to the union’s fund has hit US$645,000 (S$797,000), able to provide lost wages to their union members only for about 10 days.

Their plight has also garnered support overseas, with Australian unionists in town to lend support.

Matt Purcell, assistant coordinator of the International Transport Workers’ Federation Australia, said: “This is going right around the world, every docker, in every organisation in the world, is paying very big attention to what is happening here in Hong Kong, and we intend to stand by these people until justice is done.”

The government is hoping to have this dispute quickly resolved as it had tarnished Hong Kong’s reputation and at the same time highlighted the income inequality in the city.

Port operator Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), owned by tycoon Li Ka-Shing, is putting on a brave face, saying that operations are currently at above 80 per cent capacity despite the industrial action. They also maintained that the port dockers’ action is with their employers and subcontractors, hired by HIT, and not the port operator themselves.