The 100th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Seafarers' Strike Inherits the Spirit of Patriotism and Solidarity

2022-09-26

(Picture: After the victory of the seafarers' strike in 1922, tens of thousands of seafarers and Hong Kong citizens gathered downstairs to watch the Hong Kong British authorities return and hang the trade union signboard.) A hundred years ago (1922), Hong Kong sailors fought against the cruel exploitation and racial discrimination of British imperialism and capitalists, and launched a spectacular general strike against Hong Kong sailors. At that time, the Communist Party of China issued the book "Notice to Striking Seafarers" to give timely guidance and strong support to the labor movement. The 56 day strike won the support of workers all over the country and Hong Kong people. Looking back on this period of history, Captain Zhang Shitian, chairman of the Hong Kong Seamen's Union, said with emotion: "When seamen go to all parts of the world, people are most likely to feel the strength of the country and the dignity of the nation when they are overseas. Therefore, we have always insisted on being patriotic and the country is strong, so that we will not be bullied!" In March 1921, with Sun Yat sen's strong support, the Chinese Seamen's Industrial Federation was established in Hong Kong, which was the predecessor of the Hong Kong Seamen's Union. At that time, under the colonial rule of British imperialism, Chinese sailors in Hong Kong had long been subjected to cruel exploitation and racial discrimination by capitalists and contractors. The Chinese seafarers have long working hours and big labor, but their wages are low, and their wages are less than one fifth of that of white seafarers. They are also frequently abused, beaten, and their wages are deducted, and they are dismissed at any time without cause. On January 12, 1922, after the third request for salary increase to the management was unreasonably refused, the sailors could not bear it. Under the leadership of the General Administration of Maritime Affairs, they held a general strike, paralyzing five Pacific routes and nine offshore routes. The Hong Kong British authorities immediately resorted to various means of alienation, intimidated and threatened the striking seafarers, declared the seafarers' trade union an "illegal group", sent armed police to enforce martial law, closed the seafarers' trade union, and arrested strike leaders. All kinds of crackdowns aroused the anger of seafarers and workers. Since the beginning of February 1922, the strike has escalated from an economic struggle for higher wages to a political struggle against imperialist oppression. The Shatin Massacre aroused public anger. During the Hong Kong seafarers' general strike, the British Hong Kong government tried to prevent the sailors from leaving Hong Kong in order to suppress the strike and stop the train running. On the same day, thousands of striking sailors bravely walked to Guangzhou. When they arrived at Shatin, Hong Kong British military police fired at unarmed sailors, killing six people and wounding a group of sailors. This is the "Shatian Massacre" that shocked China and foreign countries. The imperialist atrocities aroused the anger of the workers and the masses at all levels, and they all protested strongly. The Hong Kong British authorities and ship capitalists had to yield to the situation and agreed to the basic requirement of seafarers - to increase wages; The new method of employing crew shall be implemented to reduce the intermediate exploitation of foremen; Compensate the families of the victims of the Shatin Massacre and the medical expenses of the injured; Restore the banned trade unions, release the arrested sailors, etc. On March 6, 1922, when the government sent back the trade union signboard, the striking sailors and Hong Kong workers celebrated. More than 100000 people walked into the street and shouted, "Long live the Seamen's Union!" The seafarers' strike, which lasted for 56 days, ended on March 8, and the workers achieved great success. Looking back on the history a hundred years ago,

Edit:Li Jialang    Responsible editor:Mu Mu

Source:takungpao.com

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