Editorial | Jailing of gym workers sends out strong message
- Those who coerce people into buying fitness and health packages must feel force of law and proposals for cooling-off periods speeded up
Two gym workers convicted of coercing youngsters into buying health packages have been jailed in a landmark ruling under the city’s sales law. This is the first time imprisonment has been imposed in relation to malpractices in the fitness industry.
It sends out the right message that high-pressure sales tactics will not be tolerated. The authorities should also strengthen enforcement and ensure that consumers are given sufficient legal protection.
The court heard that the pair and two others at Go Goal Studios in Mong Kok had used street surveys to lure two student victims to the gym where they were asked to hand over their identity cards and bank cards. They were then tricked and forced to sign up to plans totalling HK$21,000 (US$2,680).
The four were convicted of aggressive sales tactics, with two jailed for three weeks and the others given 90 hours and 120 hours of community service respectively.
Whether a jail term of three weeks can reflect the gravity of the offence is open to discussion. Compared to the name and shame approach of the Consumer Council, imprisonment is certainly a stronger deterrent.