Lights out: ATV ‘unable’ to broadcast news after mass exodus over unpaid wages

It’s finally curtains for Asia Television before its licence expires on April 1 as it does not have enough staff to carry on broadcasting news on Saturday after top management and many employees quit over unpaid wages on Friday.

Most employees were left with no option but to walk out as the management of the beleaguered station failed to deliver on its promise to settle two months of unpaid wages on Friday.

READ MORE: Management of Hong Kong’s cash-strapped ATV vow utmost effort to pay salaries after angry staff told to wait another month

At the same time major ATV creditor Wong Ching, who sold his controlling stake to mainland businessman Si Rongbin last year, filed an order with the High Court to liquidate the broadcaster. It is understood that the transaction between him and Si has not yet been completed.

In his statement, Wong said he made the move as “the new investor could not fulfil his role” and “to avoid the chaos persisting”.

Furious and cash-strapped staff called on the government to take the case seriously and provide support for employees, many of whom quit on Friday using a clause under labour law that protects workers owed wages.

“We don’t know what else can be done,” said ATV veteran actor Frankie Choi Kwok-wai. “We hope the government can step in and help us all.”

On Friday morning, ATV’s remaining 300 employees were expecting to be paid their wages for December and January by cheque at around 3pm. But there was no sign of any cheques.