HK's ATV: Plea to strip Deloitte of liquidator role

(CHINADAILY)ChinaCultureMediaGroup(CCM)TuesdaysubmittedapleatotheHighCourttostripDeloitte'sofitsroleofprovisionalliquidatorofthecash-strappedATV.

CCMsaidinastatementthatitwouldpresentargumentstothecourtsonthebasisthatDeloitte’sremovalwouldinfactprotecttherightsofthebeleagueredbroadcaster,staffandinvestors.

ThismovecomesafterSecretaryforWelfareandLaborMatthewCheungdenouncedthecompany’sattempttoprevent160ofmorethan400laid-offworkersfromseekingtwomonths’backpay.

AlargenumberofformerATVstaffersareseekingcompensationfromtheProtectionofWagesInsolvencyFundwhile160rehiredtohelpthestationlimptowardsitsApril1licenseexpirydateweretoldbyCCMnottoimmediatelyseekunpaidwages.

GrowinganimositypittingDeloitteagainstATVstaffandCCMcametolightafterstafferscomplainedofanabortivemasssackingatthestartoflastweek.AndCCMhasconsistentlyaccusedtheconsultancyofbeingadministrativelyunreasonable.

TheHongKong’soldesttelevisionbroadcasterisexpectedtoendits58-yearrunwithitsfinalbroadcastofATVMissAsiaPageantonMarch31.

HoTsz-wai,representativeofATV’sshareholders,toldreportersattheHighCourtthattheremightbenohearingtodaywhatwithdocumentationpending.