Back to business: traders at market in Hong Kong’s Tsing Yi end strike but vow to fight on over management issues
Association chairman denies one-week action at Cheung Fat market amid increased rent and eviction fears was a failure
The leader of a group of Tsing Yi wet market traders said they did not rule out further action, including “wildcat” demonstrations or a hunger strike, to protest against their landlord’s decision to outsource management as their one-week strike came to an end on Sunday.
More than 50 wet and dry goods stalls at Cheung Fat market – all tenants of real estate investment trust Link Reit – launched a week-long strike last Monday to protest against management being taken over by another company, fearing they would face rent increases and possible eviction.
On Sunday, Li Kam-yuen, chairman of the Tsing Yi Cheung Fat Estate Merchant Association, said he did not believe the strike had been a failure. He vowed the fight against the Link Reit and for intervention from the government would persist in a peaceful and non-political way.
Speaking on RTHK’s City Forum programme, Li said: “We do not rule out continuing [petitions] at the Chief Executive’s Office, wildcat-style actions and even, in the most extreme case, maybe a hunger strike.”
Last week, he had warned of escalating action if landlord Link Reit did not conduct genuine dialogue with them. They are also asking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to intervene.
