Union: Migrant workers ask mainland police for help over layoffs and wage cuts in Hong Kong

A group of migrant workers involved in a Hong Kong Hospital Authority project have filed a complaint with police across the border after they were fired by a mainland Chinese company and allegedly had their wages cut, a union said.

Chiu Kin-keung, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Workers' Union, said on Tuesday that a subcontractor for the United Christian Hospital expansion project in Kwun Tong had settled the payments of about 50 imported workers on Monday after a mainland Chinese management company allegedly cut their wages.

However, he said that on the same day, the mainland company deducted HK$6,000 (US$770) each from the workers' collected wages, equivalent to about HK$30,000 per person including overtime pay, to secure future jobs in Hong Kong.

The employees refused and were subsequently fired.

“The workers have reported to the Shenzhen police as we suggested. The mainland police are handling the case. The subcontractor is expected to cross the border and make a statement,” he said on a radio broadcast, adding that union officials would continue to monitor the situation.