Han Dongfang

Trade unions 1963–

Railway worker who helped organize the Beijing Workers’ Autonomous Federation

A railway worker who helped establish the Beijing Workers’ Autonomous Federation in 1989. Alongside students’ reform demands he raised workers’ concerns over prices, wages and union independence. He surrendered after the crackdown, was held for an extended period without trial and contracted tuberculosis. After treatment in the United States and denial of reentry to China, he settled in Hong Kong. He founded China Labour Bulletin in 1994 and continued reporting on labour rights and supporting workers.