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Ambrose Leung

One lawmaker walked out and another banged his fist in frustration at cargo handlers' failure to answer queries on why shipping lines should not foot a controversial handling surcharge.

Midstream operators - who load and unload goods on vessels - shippers, truckers and other business representatives were invited to the 2.5-hour meeting at the Legco economic services panel to air grievances over the $40-per-container handling surcharge, a row that has led to two strikes by lorry drivers in recent weeks.

The cargo-handlers and shippers began their presentation by listing names of organisations they represented to back up their claims. This angered Democrat Sin Chung-kai, who shouted: 'What is this? A rally for them to show off how many members they represent?'

Panel chairman James Tien Pei-chun cut off the cargo-handlers' statement.

Legislators then repeatedly asked the mid-stream operators why they would rather charge shippers and truckers instead of the shipping line operators.

However, James Shuen Wai, secretary of the Hong Kong Mid-stream Operators Association, would not answer the question, saying only that businesses he represented were suffering from stiff competition and that the shippers should shoulder the fee.

At this point, Liberal Party lawmaker Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, apparently annoyed at the pointlessness of the discussion, threw her arms up in the air and left the chamber, although she returned later. Mr Tien slammed his fist on his desk twice and ordered Mr Shuen to 'do as you are told' and answer the question. Mr Shuen then said the operators would not charge the liners as it would harm their competitiveness.

Chan Kam-lam, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, severely criticised the businessmen for using Legco as a bargaining house, saying legislators were not arbitrators.

Secretary for Economic Services Sandra Lee Shuk-yee became annoyed when legislators criticised the Government for not doing more to solve the crisis. She said the Government had done what it could to be a mediator. The Government had no power to regulate the pricing policy of the mid-stream operators, as these would be business decisions, she said.



Frustrations boil over as cargo handlers duck questions on fees