About 2,000 port workers may lose their jobs this year, with keen competition from container ports in Shenzhen forcing more local firms out of business.
The forecast came as a poll found 52.7 per cent of Hong Kong's container port and harbour workers were already unemployed or underemployed.
The Harbour Transportation Workers General Union poll also found that in the first quarter of this year, 55 per cent of workers had no pay rise, while 25 per cent had their wages cut.
The figures compared with 26 per cent having no rise and 20 per cent having a cut the previous quarter.
The unionrepresents 14,000 workers, or 20 per cent of the industry total.
Container Transportation Employees General Union chairman Tse Long said Shenzhen had quickly emerged as a viable competitor, with newly developed container ports in Yantian and Shekou.
