Lawmaker pledges help for ex-ATV staff

(CHINADAILY)

FederationofTradeUnionslawmakerBillTangKa-piuwillbemeetinglaid-offATVstaffersthisweekinthehopesofhelpingthemaccessmorethantwomonths’unpaidduesthroughtheProtectionofWagesonInsolvencyFund.

Tang’spushtotaptheFund,whichprovidespaymentsofarrearsinwagesofuptoHK$36,000,comesasSaiKungDistrictCouncilorChristineFongKwok-shanhaspromisedtopassonapetitiontotheChiefExecutiveaheadoftheTuesdayExecutiveCouncilmeetingonbehalfofaffectedemployees.

About160ATVstaffhavebeenrehiredafterthecash-strappedstation’sentirestaffwasletgolatelastweek.

Thebroadcaster’sinvestorsreachedaconditionaldealwithprovisionalliquidatorDeloitteFridayeveningwhichwillkeepthestationonairuntiltheApril1expiryofitsbroadcastlicense.

SecretaryforLabourandWelfareMatthewCheungKin-chungsaidATV’sattemptstobarrehiredstaffersfromseekingoutstandingwagesuntilnextmonthwasunreasonableandwarnedreturneesfromsigningawaytheiremployeerightsandbenefits.

TangechoedCheung’ssentimentsonlocalradioMonday,doubtingthelegalityofATV’sconditions.