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Carrie Lam

Pro-government candidates are poised to grab the three labour seats in Legco.

A majority of the 519 labour unions voting for the seats have a pro-government background. Each union can cast three votes.

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions' Wong Kwok-hing  and Kwong Chi-kin,  who have no previous Legco experience, are widely tipped to win with so-called 'iron votes'.

The federation includes 188 unions. Mr Wong is in charge of its New Territories office, while Mr Kwong is its legal adviser.

Incumbent Chan Kwok-keung,  who recently turned independent, and Li Fung-ying,  chairman of the pro-government Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, will, however, face a tougher battle to grab the last seat.

Mr Chan left the Federation of Trade Unions and the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong after being reprimanded for lobbying against civil service pay cuts.

Insiders said his independence could gain him the support of more than 220 civil service unions.

Ms Li's federation could secure her 40 votes, while her conservative style might help her gain  support from other pro-government unions.

A union leader from the pro-democracy camp said fielding a candidate had been discussed but the idea had been withdrawn.

'It is, after all, a small-circle election,' he said. 'The representatives from the Federation of Trade Unions will win no matter who they are because they have so many unions.'

Ms Li, who is on the board of the Equal Opportunities Commission, denied a claim that she was too low-profile and distant on women's issues  and said she  enjoyed good relations with unions of different political backgrounds.

'I didn't say it loudly in front of media but that doesn't mean I am not following up the cases,' she said.

Mr Chan said he did not regret leaving the pro-government unions, thus jeopardising his chances,  as he could now share his resources with many different unions.

Labour (3 seats)

Number of voters: 519 labour unions

Candidates: Four

Wong Kwok-hing (DAB)

Kwong Chi-hing (Federation of Trade Unions)

Li Fung-ying (Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions)

Chan Kwok-keung (Independent)



Status quo rules in state of the unions