Watchdog 'needs more teeth'

The Labour Tribunal's powers should be strengthened, a Christian workers' group said after its survey found only two out of five workers successfully claimed owed wages even after the tribunal had ruled in their favour. A survey by the Hong Kong Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers of 102 people who sought help from the tribunal last year found more than a third were unemployed during the hearing period which, for 25 per cent of 44 successfully resolved cases, lasted more than five months. The centre said some workers were in financial difficulties as they could only work part-time during the long hearings.