logo
Safeguard workers when businesses shut in Hong Kong

Safeguard workers when businesses shut in Hong Kong

It is sad but true that the weak economy and a changing business environment are pushing more restaurants and retailers to the brink. The stakes are even higher when businesses that shut their doors leave workers in limbo. The financial and social costs to the wider society can be overwhelming.
Advertisement
Take, as an example, the abrupt closure of the Ocean Empire Food Shop. It came as a surprise, not least because, at its peak, it operated more than 30 congee restaurants around Hong Kong.
What makes the chain's closure even more shocking is the poor handling of the affected workers, who were told to make claims over wages, payment in lieu of notice, accrued annual leave and severance pay directly to the Labour Department.
The department said it had received requests for help from more than 100 staff members seeking outstanding wages and related payments worth HK$15 million.
The restaurant chain has also reportedly failed to pay workers their wages and make Mandatory Provident Fund contributions on time.
Advertisement
The restaurant owners said they had spent more than HK$30 million of their personal funds to stay afloat, amid accusations that they had been irresponsible by referring workers to the labour authorities to claim unpaid wages.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hong Kong tourism sector urged to provide packages, discounts for National Games
Hong Kong tourism sector urged to provide packages, discounts for National Games

South China Morning Post

time2 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong tourism sector urged to provide packages, discounts for National Games

Hong Kong's tourism sector should consider offering promotional packages including hotel discounts to spectators at the coming National Games, which the city will co-host in November, authorities have said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Monday that a unified ticket sales platform would be used for all Games events to be held in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau, with more details to be announced soon. She said once the Guangdong Provincial Executive Committee had finalised ticketing policies, her bureau would encourage the tourism sector to develop various packages, with a view to attracting mainland Chinese and overseas visitors to attend the Games and explore Hong Kong. 'We have already got in touch with the tourism sector and hope that it can introduce some packages or discounts,' Law told a meeting of the Legislative Council's home affairs, culture and sports panel. 'When the ticketing arrangements are announced, all host cities will work together to tackle issues such as demand exceeding supply and scalping.' Tickets will be available via the official website and mobile applications, as well as offline channels such as official outlets and booths at venues.

US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'
US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'

China's export growth slowed last month, weighed down by fewer US orders being made before the two countries came to a 90-day tariff truce. Advertisement And while June's prospects look poised to improve, China's manufacturing and trade sectors remain under strain, according to economists, who also point to lingering uncertainties over American tariffs. China's May exports were up by 4.8 per cent, year on year, to US$316.1 billion, customs data showed on Monday. The figure followed April's 8.1 per cent growth and fell short of the estimate of a 6.28 per cent increase in a market survey by Chinese financial data provider Wind. Exports to the United States plunged by 34.52 per cent, sharper than the 21 per cent drop seen in April, owing to the trade war between the two countries. Advertisement

Tariff war ‘not the end of the world' for Hong Kong companies: trade council chief
Tariff war ‘not the end of the world' for Hong Kong companies: trade council chief

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Tariff war ‘not the end of the world' for Hong Kong companies: trade council chief

The US-China tariff war is 'not the end of the world' for Hong Kong businesses, the new head of the city's Trade Development Council has said, as he outlined strategies to help them capitalise on geopolitical uncertainties. Chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang, who took office on June 1, also said on Monday the council would explore setting up more offices in new markets and rebranding the Asian Financial Forum to include more industry elements. The council has 51 offices around the world, including three in the United States and 13 in mainland China. 'We need to reposition our global presence based on the latest geopolitical situation and the need to explore business opportunities in new markets,' Ma, a former commerce chief, said. 'Our global network will be put under review, some new offices might be opened and some existing ones might get more resources … for example, we might consider Peru after a free-trade agreement was signed recently.' Ma said the tariff war had brought uncertainties to businesses and impacted investors' confidence, but he remained optimistic.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store