1922 seamen's strike

Led by the Seamen's Union after shipping companies refused to increase salaries by 40%, the strike quickly garnered over 30,000 participants, greatly disrupting everyday colonial life and food shipments to Hong Kong.

Though the strike was declared illegal by the Hong Kong government, negotiations eventually took place after 52 days, with employers capitulating on 5 March 1922 and agreeing to wage increases of 15–30%.

[1] The Seamen's Strike had strictly economic roots—seamen's wages stayed the same while post-World War One inflation increased living costs, they were paying a lower salary than the law allowed, and they were underemployed and underpaid while ashore.

[1] By early March, the city was approaching anarchy, with trash piling up, businesses closed, public transportation stopped, and food rationed.

[1] The Emergency Regulations Ordinance was passed by the colonial administration in a single day – 28 February 1922 – to combat the strikes.