Boss lashed over Link workers' rights

We'll talk to contractors about keeping old salaries: Victor So

Legislators accused the Link Management yesterday of lacking social responsibility over its decision to axe 1,400 jobs and raise rents at shopping malls on housing estates.

'Apart from the big-scale layoffs, the company fails to regulate its contractors, who exploit workers by cutting their salary and welfare. Workers' unions have been trying to arrange a meeting with the company, but our requests are never entertained,' unionist legislator Wong Kwok-hing told a meeting of the Legislative Council's housing and manpower panels yesterday.

Fellow lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung condemned the company for breaking what he claimed were its pledges to protect workers' rights and for imposing a heavy burden on shop owners by raising rents.

'Before the company was listed, it made many promises to the public and legislators, including freezing rent until shop owners enjoy more business. It turns out the company is a big liar. It fires workers and increases rent whenever it wants,' he said.

In fact, in its prospectus, the Link Reit said its management team aimed to improve total returns by boosting rental income, cutting costs and altering the tenant mix.

Speaking at the meeting, Link Management chief executive officer Victor So Hing-woh defended the moves as business decisions.