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 because right now under the fund, be it unpaid salaries or 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 employer because with the help of employers, it could speed up the whole process.
“In Hong Kong, we have a very elaborate labour law, which is providing a much needed and necessary protection for our workers, and that protection applies to both local and also imported workers.”
