Better pay, conditions for airport security work luring ex-staff back, firm says

A range of workplace sweeteners have attracted dozens of frontline security officers back to work at Chek Lap Kok airport.

In March, the government-owned Aviation Security Company (Avseco) sent out hundreds of letters in an attempt to rehire former staff, stating that the work environment had "greatly improved" in the previous 12 months.

Calvin Huen, senior manager for operations support, said: "The response is encouraging, as 44 ex-employees have rejoined the company since March."

The improvements include better starting salaries and regular rises, an education subsidy, more relaxed regulations when applying for holidays, a clear promotion system and better internal communications.

In recent years, Avseco - which is jointly owned by the Airport Authority and the government - has faced staffing issues due to the unique pressures of the job and the airport's remote location, which adds to transport costs and necessitates a long daily commute.

The letter follows the shock firing of Sidney Chau Foo-cheong as Avseco executive director on August 7 last year.

He was fired shortly after the Independent Commission Against Corruption launched an investigation into allegations that he had improperly claimed HK$760,000 in overtime pay without board approval between 2008 and 2013.