‘Big headache’ for Hong Kong workshop owners in factory estates making way for public housing
- Compensation deal includes 15 months’ rent, and more for those who leave within nine months
- Only 60 vacant units at remaining estates, so most must move to private industrial buildings
Lewis Wong Kam-lang has been repairing industrial printers, machines and electrical appliances at his workshop at the Wang Cheong Factory Estate in Cheung Sha Wan for more than 10 years.
“Workshops like mine are the emergency room for machines. We make quick fixes so companies can quickly get them up and running again,” said the 61-year-old owner of Hang Lee Machinery.
Now he has 18 months to move out, as the factory estate is making way for public housing.
He has to find a new place and dreads the “big headache” of moving his six large pieces of equipment, weighing about 15 tonnes in total.
“I’m worried I’ll be kicked out again in a few years and end up throwing money into the water. I just want stability so I can keep making a living,” he said.
07:08
Tough times ahead for survivors of Hong Kong’s industrial past
Wong is among the tenants of four factory estates told to move out by the Housing Authority.