Cathay Pacific threatens staff with sack after Beijing draws line on Hong Kong protests
- Chief executive Rupert Hogg says staff who ‘support or participate in illegal protests’ would face disciplinary action that ‘may include termination of employment’
- Airline’s shares down 4.9 per cent on Monday to lowest level in 10 years, despite it complying with orders on Friday from China’s aviation authority
Cathay Pacific has warned that it would sack staff taking part in illegal protests in Hong Kong, saying it would take a “zero tolerance” approach, as its shares slumped to their lowest level in 10 years in trading on Monday.
In a note to staff on Monday, chief executive Rupert Hogg said staff who “support or participate in illegal protests” would face disciplinary action that “could be serious and may include termination of employment”.
His warning indicated an escalation by the company, under pressure to crack down on employees after China’s civil aviation regulator said on Friday that airline staff supporting the Hong Kong protests would be barred from flights going to, from or through mainland China.
“We are all obliged to abide by law at all times,” Hogg said. “Cathay Pacific Group has a zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities. Specifically, in the current context, there will be disciplinary consequences for employees who support or participate in illegal protests. These consequences could be serious and may include termination of employment.”
Cathay shares lost 4.9 per cent to HK$9.80 on Monday, the lowest close since June 2009. Cathay’s parent Swire Pacific fell 6.2 per cent, the steepest drop in almost four years, to HK$76.70.