Today (28 July, 2025), Carol Ng Man-yee, former chairperson of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and the British Airways Hong Kong Cabin Crew Association, has been released from prison after serving four years and five months. Like other defendants from the 2020 pro-democracy primary election case, she was quietly taken away in a private vehicle early in the morning.
For years, Carol was a key figure in Hong Kong’s labour movement. She led her union in resisting unfair policies by British Airways, even while pregnant and grieving the loss of a loved one. She still appeared in court to defend her fellow workers who had their wages withheld and fought against union discrimination. In 2006, she spearheaded a campaign against age and racial discrimination, successfully pushing the airline to raise the retirement age to 65, allowing many prematurely dismissed workers to return to their jobs. Later, she led a group of flight attendants in challenging the abuse of power that compromised aviation safety, in an incident involving former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. This made her well known to Hongkongers and earned her the nickname ‘the rebel flight attendant’.
Her perseverance brought real protection to workers in the aviation sector and earned widespread respect for the union movement in Hong Kong.
Carol believed firmly that “a strong union comes from strong members,” and that democracy is the foundation upon which workers can claim fairness and dignity. In 2020, she stood in the pro-democracy primaries, not for personal political gain, but to advocate for the working class—seeking safer workplaces, fairer hours, and equitable treatment, so that workers could share in the fruits of economic growth.
She never sought to overthrow the state or used violence. All she wanted was for workers’ voices to be heard in the legislature and protected by law. Yet, for this, she was convicted and imprisoned—something deeply painful and unjust.
During Carol’s time in prison, we also witnessed continued concern and solidarity from labour organisations and international trade unions around the world. Their support not only reassured Carol that she was not alone but also demonstrated the international labour movement’s unwavering commitment to justice and solidarity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the international trade unions who spoke out for Carol—your support has been a powerful force against oppression and a steadfast pledge to the rights of workers.
Now that Carol has finally regained her freedom, we hope she can reunite peacefully with her family and reclaim the freedom she once had in the skies.
But more importantly, we must remember her legacy and her resolve. From the aircraft cabin to the courtroom, from the picket line to the political arena, she was always on the front line for workers—speaking up when others stayed silent.
Carol’s journey is not just a personal sacrifice—it reflects how a society treats its workers, its conscience, and its democracy. We must not forget. We must not stay silent. May the hope you have sown one day bloom.