Opposition to Hong Kong Security Law, Labor and Student Groups Plan General Strike and Solidarity School Walkout

[Asia Economy Reporter Sung Kiho] As the National People's Congress (NPC) of China is pushing for the enactment of the "Hong Kong National Security Law" (Hong Kong Security Law), Hong Kong labor and student groups have decided to launch a general strike and allied school boycott in response.

According to local media on the 7th, the "2 Million Three Strikes (Sampa) Union Coalition Front" held a press conference the day before and announced that a vote among union members on whether to carry out a general strike against the Hong Kong Security Law will be held on the 14th. Sampa refers to the three major struggles: general strike, allied school boycott, and work stoppage.

They stated that if more than 60,000 union members participate in the vote on the 14th and over 60% vote in favor, a first-phase general strike lasting three days will be conducted.

Alex Chui, chairman of the Hong Kong Hotel Workers Union, appealed for opposition to the Hong Kong Security Law, saying, "This harsh law will drive Hong Kong's economy to ruin," and added, "We must demonstrate our opposition to the international community through large-scale actions."

Twenty-three unions across 20 industries including aviation, transportation, construction, and IT have expressed support for the general strike against the Hong Kong Security Law. This includes the New Civil Servants Union, which has over 3,200 members.

In response, Carol Ng, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU), one of Hong Kong's two major labor organizations representing 90 unions, announced that CTU-affiliated union members will participate in the vote on the 14th.

The "Secondary Students Action Preparation Platform," a student group supported by the Hong Kong opposition party Demosisto, also held a press conference the day before and announced plans to hold a vote on whether to carry out an allied school boycott against the Hong Kong Security Law before the summer vacation.

They stated that if more than 10,000 students participate in this vote and over 60% vote in favor, they will proceed with the allied school boycott.