'Top priority' for Ocean Empire workers' entitlements
Chris Sun said he anticipates that Ocean Empire workers can recover back pay and other payments in approximately three months. Photo: RTHK
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Saturday that the authorities' top priority is ensuring laid-off workers from the defunct Ocean Empire Food Shop chain receive their full legal entitlements.
Sun's remarks follow urgent appeals from employees after the 33-year-old local congee restaurant chain shuttered all outlets and ceased operations this week, leaving staff demanding action over unpaid wages, pension contributions and severance pay.
The Labour Department has received requests for assistance from nearly 100 employees, involving claims amounting to approximately HK$15 million.
Sun said that he anticipates that workers can recover owed wages and other payments in approximately three months.
He added that the restaurant had employed around 19 imported workers, who are also entitled to the same labour protections as local employees, and these workers can claim unpaid wages through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund.
"It takes a bit of time, but they don't have to worry. Right now, under the Fund, be it unpaid salaries, unpaid leave as well as severance payment, there is a well-established mechanism for them to get back money that is owed to them," Sun said.
"We are working closely with the employers because with their help, it could speed up the whole process.
"In Hong Kong we have very elaborated labour laws providing much needed and necessary protection for our workers, and such protection applies to both local and imported workers."
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