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The early labor movement in Hong Kong was part of the larger workers' movement across China. At that time, Hong Kong workers clearly identified with the nation and the people, realizing that to improve their own situation, they first needed to change China's semi-colonial status. Because workers were under the dual oppression of imperialism and the bourgeoisie, they generally stood at the forefront of resistance, and the labor movement had a clear political orientation. Although the number of workers was not large, their role in driving social struggles was quite significant. In 1909, the earliest labor organizations appeared in Hong Kong. At that time, due to the Hong Kong government's refusal to allow workers to formally organize unions, they took the form of workers' study clubs. In 1920, under the leadership of Kuomintang union leader Ma Chaojun, more than 5,000 machine workers demanded a 40% pay raise and launched a major strike. Most of the workers left Hong Kong to return to Guangzhou, with train, tram, telephone, and electricity workers joining the strike. With the strong solidarity of workers across various industries, the Hong Kong government and employers finally gave in, and workers received a 32.5% pay increase. In 1922, under Su Zhaozheng's leadership, starting from mid-January, more than ten thousand sailors went on strike and returned to Guangzhou. By early February, 30,000 transport workers, dock laborers, and others in Hong Kong joined the strike in solidarity. By early March, the number of striking workers across all industries in Hong Kong reached 100,000. After 52 days, the strike achieved a major victory, gaining a pay increase of 15% to 30% and securing the Hong Kong government's recognition of the sailors' union as a legal organization.

MLME

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