A plan to clear and relocate shipyards in north Tsing Yi will go ahead despite possible protests from the operators and workers, the Government says.
The plan was part of the reclamation project to meet the shortage of open space on Tsing Yi, a spokesman said yesterday.
'Before deciding to do so, the administration as a whole has given careful consideration to the views of the shipyard operators. Exco authorised the reclamation in January 1997,' he added.
The Tung Yee Shipbuilding and Repairing Merchants' General Association has estimated that about 3,000 workers could lose their jobs in less than two weeks under the plan.
The owners of the shipyards, who have complained that compensation levels are inadequate, said they were told the area must be ready for clearance by April 23.
New shipyard sites about 200 metres away from the current ones have been offered.