JENNIFER NGOjennifer.ngo@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 26 August, 2015, 10:55pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 26 August, 2015, 10:55pm
Sai Wan War Cemetery and Memorials for part of World War II 70th anniversary commemorative events in Chai Wan. Photo: Felix Wong
Workers in outsourced government public services will get a day off in lieu of the second world war commemorative holiday - as long as they take it within 60 days.
Labour minister Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the government had accepted suggestions from the unions of its subcontractors regarding Victory Day, the one-off national holiday on September 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Japanese surrender.
About 30,000 subcontracted workers at more than 40 firms - most of them in cleaning and security - would have their holidays staggered over a period of time.
"Under the premise of not affecting public services, we allow [subcontractors] to deal flexibly with [the holiday]," Cheung said after meeting seven union representatives on Wednesday..
Companies that needed to hire additional help on the day would be compensated "by discretion and in special circumstances", said Cheung.
"If, in special cases, a position cannot be filled with manpower readjustment and the company needs to hire an extra hand to fill a crucial job, they can apply for a special ex-gratia payment."
The unions had raised concerns the holiday could lead to a breakdown of essential public services and affect cleanliness, and had urged the government to compensate affected workers.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1852846/hong-kong-workers-outsourced-public-services-get-victory-day-lieu
