15pc catch to laundry jobs deal

Hong Kong laundrymen whose jobs with the Royal Navy were supposedly guaranteed in a handover deal now face a 15 per cent pay cut.

The Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Worldwide Laundry Services, in Portsmouth, England, unifying working conditions and apparently ensuring the Hong Kong men remained in work.

But now the company, says they must accept a 15 per cent pay cut or leave.

The men, employed on board Royal Navy warships since the 1930s, do not have full British passports and face deportation if they fail to accept the new terms. They can earn $2,500 from each officer per month while at sea.