Hong Kong Airlines penalised for breaching rules of Covid-19 wage relief scheme it tapped for HK$154.3 million
- The carrier on Saturday acknowledged a discrepancy in the employee headcount given to the government after ex-flight attendants filed a complaint
- But the struggling firm rebutted the former staff members’ suggestions it had accepted more per employee than it was qualified to receive
The case came to light after a concern group formed by ex-cabin crew filed a complaint against the company, saying it had noticed discrepancies in the sum the airline received and the amount passed to staff.
The ailing carrier originally tapped the city’s HK$81 billion Employment Support Scheme (ESS) to fund salaries from June to August then again between September and November last year, money intended to protect the jobs of its then 2,940 employees.
HKA said it used “all the funds” from the scheme to cover a portion of salaries during those six months. However, it has now acknowledged being hit with a “penalty” over a discrepancy between its employee headcount for the second three-month period and the headcount provided to the government.
The Hong Kong Airlines Concern Group, formed by flight attendants made redundant in December, said it complained to the authorities about the financial help the airline received earlier this month.
