Hong Kong unions likely to ‘tread carefully’ as mandatory allegiance requirement for civil servants heralds ‘arduous’ era for city’s labour movement
- Warning from Leung Chau-ting, of Federation of Civil Service Unions, comes hours after Union for New Civil Servants disbanded on Saturday night
- ‘The labour movement in the city’s civil service is going to be very arduous in future,’ he says
The warning from Leung Chau-ting came hours after the Union for New Civil Servants announced its disbandment on Saturday night in response to the requirement for the 180,000-strong workforce to pledge allegiance to the city and its mini-constitution.
Leung, chief executive of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, said the approach adopted by the union might have given the administration the impression it was going against the government, thus placing itself at “great risk”.
“Even though the disbandment may only be an exceptional case, it is going to be very arduous for the labour movement in the city’s civil service in future,” he said, referring to the requirements set out by the oath. “Union leaders will have to be extra careful in every step.”
What can the unions do when there are so many limitations? They can only echo the government as it’s impossible for them to argue otherwise
But writing on his blog on Sunday, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung reiterated the importance of the oath.
“[The oath] will let civil servants understand their responsibilities and the requirements brought about by their public duties, and will further protect, consolidate and promote the core values of the public service to ensure effective governance,” he said.
In a guideline handed down to civil servants which spells out the definition of oath violations, the administrations has made it clear that anyone who aims to destabilise the administration or attempts to stir up anti-government sentiments triggering social unrest will be deemed to be violating their oath.
Civil service union formed during protests becomes first to disband
The same will also apply to those who express their personal views through “unsuitable mediums” or means that give people an impression that their remarks are tied to their role as civil servants.
Leung, who had held multiple rallies in the past calling for pay rise, said he hoped civil servant unions would think twice before organising such demonstrations in future.
“What can the unions do when there are so many limitations?” he said. “They can only echo the government as it’s impossible for them to argue otherwise.”
All 180,000 civil servants in the city will be required to sign a declaration that they will uphold the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the government. Those who refuse to sign could be asked to leave their posts.
Senior civil servants, such as department heads, will also be asked to take an oath.
All civil servants will have to pledge allegiance to Hong Kong
Union for New Civil Servants chairman Michael Ngan Mo-chau said on Saturday night they had to take the “reluctant but necessary” action to dissolve the association to protect members’ information.
Ngan first came to the public attention in August 2019 when he co-organised a rally for government employees to voice their opposition to the extradition bill. The government formally withdrew the bill in October that year.
He subsequently formed the new union.
