Ex-members of disbanded union apply to hold Labour Day rally in Hong Kong in test of political freedom

Application from two former members of Confederation of Trade Unions follows rules imposed on first marches held in city since pandemic began in 2020

‘We hope the police can handle our application in a manner by which Hongkongers can feel that their freedom to rally is still intact,’ former union chair says

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Workers march from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to the Legislative Council in Tamar during a rally on Labour Day in 2019. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 12:13am, 12 Apr 2023Updated: 8:42am, 12 Apr 2023

Two former members of the now defunct Confederation of Trade Unions have applied to host a 500-strong march on Labour Day in Hong Kong, saying holding the rally would be a test of the political freedoms under the city’s national security law.

Joe Wong Nai-yuen, a former chairman of the confederation, on Tuesday said he and ex-committee member Denny To Chun-ho had submitted an application to stage the May 1 rally on Hong Kong Island.

“We applied in our personal capacity as individual Hong Kong residents. We are not representing any group,” he said. “We were thinking maybe there will be less pressure if we use our individual capacity.”

Once considered one of the city’s most influential labour groups and a long-time ally of the opposition camp, members of the confederation voted to disband in 2021 after 31 years of operation.

Joe Wong, a former chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Wong and To were also among four from the confederation questioned by national security police last month.