News
Rising up to the challenge, HKCCRGU Women making the difference !
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1st March 2009 in Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong – Clothing Industry, Clerical & Retail Trade Employees General Union (HKCCRGU) set up their stall early in the morning with all the donated branded purses, bags, towels and t-shirts to sell in the Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair that attracted thousands of people which lasted for the whole day with a grand dinner in the streets at night.
In the morning were interesting bargains from the stalls, lots of entertainments and cultural show – but for HKCCRGU members, this was a great opportunity to spread the trade unionism spirit and at the same time, try to raise funds for its members that requires a hand. According to UNI Apro Women Committee Member and an active trade unionist in Hong Kong, Ms Lai Ha these type of events are very meaningful to the trade union movement as they participate in these community events, they were able to build a closer relationship with the community in Hong Kong reinforcing the need for trade unions as a partner in the society to bring better working conditions to its people. Pamphlets introducing trade unionism were also distributed as well as the brisk selling of the donated items. By late evening, the boxes of donated items were sold out and some funds will be made available to assist workers. It was good team work and the cheerful explanations from these women on their causes and the need for strong trade unions that won the hearts of many of Hong Kong’s citizens. Alice Chang, UNI Apro's Director of Commerce and Michael Siu Director of UNIDOC Hong Kong was there to provide support for this group of activists and assisted in the packaging of the products the day before the fair. As the women pack up their stalls, they cheerfully announce the need for the Hong Kong government to ratify the ILO core conventions so that they have the right to collective bargaining – one important tool to ensure that democracy and workers rights are protected. They will continue to strive to achieve this aim. The union is already planning to organise the retail industry in Hong Kong and is looking forward in working closely with UNI Apro and its affiliates to not only organise the multi national commerce industry in Hong Kong but to also be the first to actually sign a collective agreement in the very near future. As Lai Ha said "Its very difficult to form trade unions in Hong Kong as we do not have a long history of trade unionsim but "difficult" should never be the reason to be inactive. We choose to raise to the challenge." |