Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said today the Government’s top priority is to help the workers of Ocean Empire Food Shop get back their unpaid salaries, leave and severance pay following the shop’s closure.

Mr Sun told reporters this morning that about 100 workers - both local and imported - are being assisted in applying for support under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, against insolvency and wage default.

He said: “It takes a bit of time, but they do not have to worry. Right now, under the fund, be it unpaid salaries, unpaid leave as well as severance payment, there is a well-established mechanism for them to get back money that is owed to them.

“In Hong Kong we have very elaborate labour laws providing much needed and necessary protection for our workers, and such protection applies to both local and imported workers.”

Mr Sun added that the Labour Department is working closely with the employers whose help could speed up the whole process.