[Hong Kong] Zeek employees file claim for HK$13m wage arrears

In Hong Kong, the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) has announced that around 300 workers have filed claims for wage arrears to the tune of HK$13 million with the delivery platform Zeek, rthk.hk reports.

Zeek has already ceased operations and is currently in the process of winding up. Some of its staff have sought help with the FTU.

The controversy around Zeek has centred on whether workers were considered employees of the firm or self-employed. An adjudicator reportedly ruled that they were employees of Zeek in a recent Labour Tribunal ruling.

The FTU said that the company's inability to pay outstanding wages and related payments meant the government should step in and offer compensation to staff through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund.

Sara Wong - chairwoman of the Service Industry General Union under the FTU - said the union continued receiving complaints about Zeek and other platforms but stated that the deadline to apply for the fund relating to Zeek has passed.

"As a firm like Zeek, we already need so much time to work on. If there are really tens of thousands of workers who claim compensation, we dare not imagine how we could handle such a situation," she said.

FTU lawmaker Michael Luk reportedly called on the Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun to do more to protect gig workers.

"I'm not saying he's dragging [his feet], but he's not proactive enough. As the bureau chief, he knows that this issue has been going on for several years now, and it's only getting worse," Mr Luk said.

He also urged the government to take steps to revise the Employment Ordinance and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and consider regulating the business models of these platforms.

Source: rthk.hk

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Hong Kong, the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) has announced that around 300 workers have filed claims for wage arrears to the tune of HK$13 million with the delivery platform Zeek, rthk.hk reports.

Zeek has already ceased operations and is currently in the process of winding up. Some of its staff have sought help with the FTU.

The controversy around Zeek has centred on whether workers were considered employees of the firm or self-employed. An adjudicator reportedly ruled that they were employees of Zeek in a recent Labour Tribunal ruling.

The FTU said that the company's inability to pay outstanding wages and related payments meant the government should step in and offer compensation to staff through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund.

Sara Wong - chairwoman of the Service Industry General Union under the FTU - said the union continued receiving complaints about Zeek and other platforms but stated that the deadline to apply for the fund relating to Zeek has passed.

"As a firm like Zeek, we already need so much time to work on. If there are really tens of thousands of workers who claim compensation, we dare not imagine how we could handle such a situation," she said.

FTU lawmaker Michael Luk reportedly called on the Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun to do more to protect gig workers.

"I'm not saying he's dragging [his feet], but he's not proactive enough. As the bureau chief, he knows that this issue has been going on for several years now, and it's only getting worse," Mr Luk said.

He also urged the government to take steps to revise the Employment Ordinance and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and consider regulating the business models of these platforms.

Source: rthk.hk

(Quotes via original reporting)