Hong Kong business affected to Occupy protests were 'scared' to seek compensation, claims alliance leader

Businesses affected by Occupy Central last year were deterred from making compensation claims against protesters for fear of being identified and further losing patronage, a leader of an anti-Occupy alliance says.

Irons Sze Wing-wai, a permanent honorary president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, told the South China Morning Post his association's initiative to offer a free legal advisory service for businesses affected by the pro-democracy protests ended in vain.

About five restaurants in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay approached him at the start of the protests last year, but they gave up later.

"They dared not pursue their claims because they were scared of being labelled by protesters as 'blue ribbons' and in turn losing more business," Sze said, referring to the colour assigned to the anti-Occupy camp, as opposed to yellow for the pro-democracy movement.

"This incident was most terrifying to me because people could not exercise their rights to seek compensation."

During the sit-ins, a minibus operator obtained a court injunction to stop protesters blocking major roads in Mong Kok. There were a few dozen claims from small businesses, drivers and individuals who sued Occupy leaders through the Small Claims Tribunal, but their cases remain unresolved since they were transferred to the High Court and some were withdrawn.

But Sze acknowledged the impact on businesses was short-term and companies had already recovered. Those who argue that the protests had little impact point to the 2.3 per cent growth in Hong Kong's gross domestic product last year and the fact tourist arrivals did not fall during Occupy.