Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
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The Government published the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the Bill) in the Gazette today (April 17).
The Bill seeks to amend the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) to strengthen the regulation of trade unions to safeguard national security and improve the trade union regulatory regime, thereby facilitating the healthy development of trade unions.
A spokesperson for the Labour Department said, “The proposed amendments will strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate trade unions to better fulfil the duty of safeguarding national security under the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (6 of 2024). At the same time, the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions, and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions.”
The spokesperson added, “Subject to a smooth passage of the Bill, the amendment ordinance will come into operation on the expiry of six months after the day on which it is published in the Gazette. During this period, the Labour Department will further publicise and explain the amendments to trade unions to facilitate their understanding and compliance.”
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on April 30. The Government will fully work with the LegCo to scrutinise the Bill, with a view to seeking the LegCo’s support and passage of the Bill.