Govt Moving Too Slowly On Holidays: Pro-Beijing Union

A pro-Beijing union said on Wednesday that the number of statutory holidays for grassroots workers should be increased from 12 to 17 days within the next three years, far quicker than the nine-year time frame the government is proposing.

Officials are planning to add one extra statutory holiday every two years, with the first one to come in 12 months' time, for Buddha's Birthday.

But the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions complained that the number of statutory holidays has remained at 12 since 1999, when Labour Day was added to the list.

It said the labour sector has been calling for an increase for more than a decade, so employers have already had plenty of time to prepare for changes.

"It's unfair that around 30 percent of workers only get 12 holidays right now when others have more....the government's plan is taking too long," said Lam Chun-sing, who chairs the federation.

He led several members in staging a demonstration on the issue on Wednesday, outside the government's headquarters at Tamar.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said if Legco passes the legal changes needed to increase the number of statutory holidays, this would be an "important milestone" when it comes to improving labour rights in Hong Kong.

In a Facebook post, he said more than a million workers would benefit, noting that it would be the Carrie Lam administration that made it happen.