THREE lecturers at Hong Kong's two polytechnics could face a salary cut of up to 50 per cent after winning election to their district boards.
The Director of Hong Kong Polytechnic, Professor Poon Chung-kwong, told candidates in last Sunday's elections they would have four choices if they were successful. City Polytechnic gave candidates a similar briefing.
Desmond Lee Yu-tai and Hung Wing-tat from Hong Kong Polytechnic and John Tse Wing-ling from City Polytechnic will be affected.
They can forego salary in proportion to the working hours devoted to the district board, up to a maximum of half-pay and loss of fringe benefits, such as housing.
Or they could choose to suspend the payment of salary, but retain their posts, for their three-year term.
The polytechnic would make special arrangements, such as waiving notice requirements, for those who resigned.
The last option was to convince their department heads that their political work would not affect teaching hours, thereby preserving full salary.