- The Hong Kong government cut ties with the pro-democracy union last week and accused it of spreading anti-Beijing and anti-government sentiment.
- The split came hours after Chinese state media called the union a “malignant tumor” that should be eradicated.
- The Professional Teachers’ Union is the city’s largest single-industry trade union, with 95,000 members.
Hong Kong’s largest teachers’ union said it disbanded Tuesday due to the changing political climate, as the government continues its crackdown on dissent in the city.
The Hong Kong government cut ties with the pro-democracy union last week and accused it of spreading anti-Beijing and anti-government sentiment. The split came hours after Chinese state media called the union a “malignant tumor” that should be eradicated.
The Professional Teachers’ Union is the city’s largest single-industry trade union, with 95,000 members.
“Regrettably, the changes in the social and political environment in recent years have forced us to think about the way forward, and some recent rapid developments have also put us under tremendous pressure,” the union said in a statement Tuesday.
It said it would stop accepting new members and refund renewals submitted by current members. It will also lay off 200 staff members and dispose of its assets, and will soon halt its medical center services and welfare centers that sold discounted goods to members.
The closure of the teachers’ union is the latest fallout from efforts by Hong Kong authorities to stamp out dissent in the city.
Read more at https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/11/largest-hong-kong-teachers-union-disbands-amid-government-crackdown.html
PRESS RELEASE/POSITION PAPER
Thanks to the members for nearly half a century of support, the Education Association decided to disband
August 10, 2021
The Hong Kong Association of Educational Professionals has been established for 48 years. It has been working hand in hand with the education industry to improve the education profession and teachers’ rights. The Education Association is grateful for the support of its members. Regrettably, the social and political environment has changed in recent years, coupled with some recent rapid developments, the Education Association has been under tremendous pressure. In the face of a severe crisis, the Council has tried its best to find a way to continue its operation, but it has not yet seen the prospects. , When it was difficult to continue the work goals and unable to find a solution to the crisis, after unanimous approval by the board of directors and the support of the supervisors, it was decided to dissolve the Educational Association and immediately start the relevant procedures.
The Education Association was founded in 1973 by the civilian educator Mr. Situ Hua and a group of enthusiastic teachers. It started from a small office in Wenjing Building, Ferry Corner. It provided teachers with different services, followed up and defended the rights and interests of teachers. With the efforts of the members, the Association of Education has continued to expand its business with the purpose of running the associations diligently and thriftily, making the Association of Education a well-known name in Hong Kong. It has accompanied its members and all Hong Kong people to witness many historical moments, and have gone through nearly half a century. Regrettably, the changes in the social and political environment in recent years have forced us to think about the way ahead, and some recent rapid developments have also put us under tremendous pressure.
As the largest single-industry trade union in Hong Kong, it is deeply supported by teachers and entrusted by the past generations of education associations. The Education Association has been working hard to find possible ways to continue the operation of the conference. However, after several efforts, no solution was found to resolve the crisis. After careful consideration and in-depth research and judgment, the board of directors unanimously passed the resolution last night (August 9), and the supervisors unanimously supported the resolution, decided to dissolve the Education Association, and immediately started the relevant procedures.
The Educational Association will handle the dissolution arrangements in accordance with the constitution and relevant laws. The goal is to do the dissolution work in an orderly and reasonable manner, including convening a special member representative assembly as soon as possible, and making arrangements for severance in accordance with the law to ensure that 200 people are diligent and diligent for the Educational Association. The rights and interests of dedicated staff, properly end cooperation with merchants, complete various financial and property arrangements, etc. The Education Association stated that the association owns the property, has a sound financial situation, and has sufficient capacity to meet various severance and repayment requirements. The Education Association will handle the relevant procedures as soon as possible.
From now on, the Education Association will immediately stop processing new membership and renewal applications, and arrange refunds for members who have paid for renewal; stop commenting and participating in public affairs; the Rights and Complaints Department will not accept new cases or inquiries, and Existing cases will be completed as soon as possible; all unstarted courses and activities will be suspended and refunds will be arranged, but ongoing activities or courses will be arranged to be completed as soon as possible; “Teaching Association Service Co., Ltd.” will stop acting as an agent for new insurance, but has already been insured The insurance policy is still valid, please contact the insurance company directly in the future or claim compensation.
As for the shopping services of the three clubs in Mong Kok, Causeway Bay and Tsuen Wan, the shopping services will be maintained for the time being, and the inventory will be cleared and the contract requirements with the merchants will be processed as soon as possible; new orders will not be accepted for electrical appliance orders, but orders that have been confirmed and paid are not accepted. We will try our best to follow up properly; the Education Association Medical Center will stop operation as soon as possible, but the specific date of the suspension is to be negotiated with partners, and it is expected to be no later than the end of this year. The Education Association must ensure the confidentiality of member information and guarantee that all member information will be destroyed when operations are completely stopped.
It is undoubtedly a great regret that the 48-year history of the Education Association will be brought to an end. We also understand that many members have deep feelings for the Education Association and feel sorry for the dissolution of the Education Association. But we urge everyone to understand that this is helpless and difficult. And the painful decision is also a well-thought-out decision. The Council of Education Association sincerely thanked all members for their support and peers over the years, and wish everyone safety and continue to contribute to the education profession in their respective jobs.
