Hong Kong MTR staff to get one-off payment as embattled rail giant thanks staff for dedication during troubled year

Full-time staff will receive a HK$2,000 reward, while part-timers will get HK$800 as part of the MTR Corporation’s One-off Special Recognition Payment

The rail operator became key target of radical protest movement with stations and trains trashed and burned

Reading Time:2 minutes

MTR staff are to be rewarded for their dedication during rail giant’s difficult year. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 12:38pm, 31 Dec 2019Updated: 4:00pm, 31 Dec 2019

Hong Kong’s embattled rail giant is giving out a one-off reward to show its gratitude to its staff, despite the firm saying it faces HK$1.6 billion (US$205 million) in costs to repair damages this year.

Full-time staff will receive a HK$2,000 reward, while part-timers will get HK$800 as part of the MTR Corporation’s One-off Special Recognition Payment.

“Amid the unprecedented disruptions and risk to our business arising from the prolonged public events in Hong Kong, your dedication and professionalism have been well recognised and appreciated by the general public,” wrote Jacob Kam Chak-pui, MTR Corporation’s chief executive officer, in a letter to MTR employees.

Those who joined the MTR before October 1, have a minimum of three months’ active service in Hong Kong since June and are under employment on December 31 will be eligible for the reward.

Hong Kong anti-government protesters have targeted the city’s rail operator. Photo: Winson Wong

The rail operator became a key target of radical protesters after they accused it of kowtowing to Beijing following a scathing attack by mainland Chinese media.

They also accused the MTR of colluding with police by shutting stations near protest sites and reducing services, labelling it “Communist Rail”.