HKIT losing HK$5 million daily to strike

Losses to continue as talks with striking workers bogs down.

Hong Kong International Terminals Ltd said a strike by dockers begun six days ago is causing it a daily loss of HK$5 million. The company could also face claims from shippers as a result of the strike.

HKIT said the striking workers are employed by contractors. Dockers began a sit-in on March 28, demanding a 20% pay increase in the wake of rising living costs and record home prices.

The dock workers are demanding that hourly wages rise by HK$12.50 but sources said HKIT will only agree to a 5% pay increase

Some 500 protesters were forced to leave the port terminal Monday after Hong Kong’s High Court granted a temporary injunction barring them.

Analysts said labor discontent in Hong Kong is rising as its wealth gap widened to the worse since records were kept in 1971.