Some sectors voiced anger at being left out of the government's second round of virus-relief in April 2020. Others said the aid just simply wasn't enough to support their businesses.
This came as beauty salons and massage parlours were ordered to close for two weeks to curb the spread of the virus.
Scroll down for the full script.
(Aired on ViuTVSix on 10 April 2020)
Full Script:
Worker unions in the property management sector are seething at the government's second round of virus-relief announced two days ago.
While their bosses are getting help to pay wages in the $137-billion package, they say there's little for those of them on the front line.
(Soundbite, KELVIN YUEN, HK Buildings Management & Security Workers General Union)
"The government didn't take into account that our working hours are now shorter.
Our salaries have been cut. But there's more work for us, because our employers have given us stricter, or you could even say, harsher requirements."
They also pointed out that cleaners hired as contractors for shopping malls and parks are still being left out of hardship funds that were rolled out two months ago.
The problem for others, meanwhile, is that the new fund doesn't go far enough.
(Soundbite, YAM WAI-HO, Spokesperson, Education Centres Union)
"The $40,000 they give us isn't even enough to cover a month's rent. The average rent per month for our businesses is over $50,000. If you add up the eight months since classes were suspended, businesses have already lost $400,000."
The Education Centres Union says 93 percent of the 500 centres they've asked may still have to close down even after getting government relief.
Well, officials' message today: the money is there if you want to borrow it.
On RTHK, commerce chief Edward Yau said authorities will roll out an "improved" version of a loan scheme by April 20 soonest.
The maximum loan amount, with a full government guarantee, will double to $4 million.
Yau said about 30,000 small and medium sized firms will benefit from this change.
And looking ahead, Yau said it's not clear if the annual Hong Kong Book Fair can go ahead come July.
But if it can, the government will cough up $40 million to cover exhibitors' fees for them to take part in the event.
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