Hong Kong broadcaster ATV once more defaults on pay for its staff
The failure to pay 800 employees a total of HK$20 million once again raises questions about licence renewal for the station
Beleaguered terrestrial broadcaster ATV has once again failed to pay its 800 staff, prompting renewed speculation over whether it will be given a new licence.
However, sources at the station expressed confidence that its licence would be renewed, even though it had failed to pay its staff a total of HK$20 million and a shareholder dispute was continuing in the courts.
The station, struggling to seek new buyers and ensure it is granted a new free-to-air licence once its current one expires in November next year, admitted that it had not paid its staff last month, putting itself at risk of violating labour laws for a second time within three months. ATV failed to pay its staff their September wages for more than 20 days.
The Employment Ordinance stipulates that an employer must pay wages to an employee no later than seven days after the end of a wage period.
ATV usually paid its staff by the first day of the month, but there had been no sign of payment as of last night - a week after the usual payment date - staff members said.
Any employer who fails to pay salaries without a reasonable excuse is liable to prosecution, and if convicted could be fined up to HK$350,000 and jailed for three years.