Hong Kong’s labour chief defends rule requiring new trade unions to sign declaration pledging not to threaten national security

Hong Kong’s labour chief has defended a rule requiring founders of new trade unions to sign a declaration pledging they will not threaten national security, saying it is the government’s responsibility to monitor such matters.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han was referring to a new condition for setting up trade unions outlined by the government on Friday, under which founders would need to confirm the objectives of their group were lawful and the bodies would not engage in any activities that could endanger national security or contravene any other law.

“According to the national security law, government departments have the responsibility to strengthen the monitoring, guidance and public communication over matters concerning national security relating to social organisations,” Sun said on Saturday.

“The amendment has made it clearer that all founders of trade unions must declare that they will abide by the law, which includes not threatening national security,” he said.

Under the new policy, Sun said union founders would also be required to submit their employment records from the past six months.

He added that the new rule would apply to unions that had started the registration process but had not completed it before next Monday.