Hong Kong Tightens the Regulation of Trade Unions

HR Policy Global perspective: This marks a significant tightening of trade union regulation in Hong Kong—strengthening state oversight under the banner of national security. While the government frames this as protecting social stability, human rights organizations warn it undermines freedoms of association and expression, potentially dismantling independent or dissenting labour representation.

The Bigger Picture

The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed by Hong Kong's Legislative Council on June 25, 2025, and will take effect on January 5, 2026. The bill amends the existing Trade Unions Ordinance to enhance national security safeguards and tighten the regulation of trade unions. 

Key changes include: 

• Significant discretionary power for the Registrar of Trade Unions to deny union applications and activities deemed a threat to national security. The bill also enhances the regulatory regime by increasing the statutory powers of the Registrar and authorized officers to supervise and enforce the ordinance. 
• Trade unions will face restrictions on receiving and using financial contributions from "external forces," which includes foreign countries, organizations, and political parties. 
• Individuals convicted of offenses that endanger national security are banned from leading or forming trade unions. 

The Hong Kong government has welcomed the bill's passage, stating it aims to safeguard national security, ensure trade unions focus on the occupational interests of their members, and promote the healthy development of trade unions.   They assert the changes will not adversely affect the operations of law-abiding trade unions.

The local union movement has been cautious in responding to the upcoming changes, however the International Federation of Journalists has commented that “Denying trade union registration on vague national security grounds without a meaningful right to appeal undermines the rule of law, suppresses grassroots organising, and weakens workers’ collective bargaining power.”