HK protesters clash with Standard Working Hours Committee

Police were called to restore order in Hong Kong on March 29 after protesters clashed with members of the Standard Working Hours Committee.

The incident occurred after the committee decided during a morning meeting to move ahead with the second round of the consultation on standard working hours next month. This was despite a boycott from labor representatives.

Several labor groups, who demonstrated outside the committee’s office in Sheung Wan, vented their anger at members of the committee. This resulted in committee chairperson Edward Leong Che-hung being stranded for half an hour.

Police officers at the scene had to remove protesters who were blocking committee members from leaving.

Stanley Lau Chin-ho, representing the employers, said the second round of the consultation would focus on four issues. This includes seeking opinions on whether to legislate on standard contracts to specify working hours, overtime arrangements and compensation. It also includes whether or not to legislate to protect grassroots employees and underprivileged ones.

Prior to the meeting, six labor representatives staged a walkout from the committee meeting. They were expressing their dissatisfaction with the so-called standard contract – which deviates from the original one.

Leung Chau-ting, a labor representative on the committee, urged all unions to boycott the three-month consultation. Leung expects 90 percent of registered unions will do this unless the government returns to its original plan.

Leung criticized the committee for pushing ahead with the second round of the consultation despite the absence of labor sector members. The labor representative also questioned how representative the committee really was.

(CHINADAILY)