Hong Kong’s biggest teachers’ union amends constitution to speed up disbandment under government pressure
- Rather than full membership vote, two-thirds majority of attendees at a special meeting will now suffice to end 47-year-old organisation’s run
- Pressure on union first began piling up last month, when government cut ties hours after Communist Party mouthpieces attacked it
Members of Hong Kong’s biggest teachers’ union have agreed to speed up the disbandment of the 47-year-old organisation by amending its constitution so fewer members are required to initiate the process.
A special meeting of 140 members was held on Saturday to discuss the necessary constitutional changes after the embattled Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU) announced earlier this month it was breaking up under pressure from authorities which have accused it of inciting violence and anti-government sentiment in schools.
The afternoon session saw the passing of a resolution that will allow the union to be dissolved if two-thirds of attendees at a special members meeting vote to do so, PTU president Fung Wai-wah told reporters. Previously, it would have required the approval of two-thirds of the 95,000-strong membership.
“The original threshold is too hard to reach,” Fung said. “Today’s meeting was quite smooth, as a majority of members attending the meeting supported the amendment.
“Some members told us in the meeting that they felt sad about the disbandment, yet they understand and respect PTU’s decision.”