RTHK Presenters To Strike On Monday

Around a dozen RTHK presenters have vowed to join a citywide strike on Monday over the now-suspended extradition bill, saying their job is not just to bring the public happiness and positive energy, but also to "walk with the Hong Kong people".

In an open letter to all the SAR's residents, the presenters accuse the government of ignoring the demands of the public and allowing police to use excessive force against protesters.

The presenters, including Radio 2's Tsang Chi-ho and Eric Leung, urge the government to officially withdraw the extradition bill and set up an independent probe to look into the saga.

The station's English-language programmes are not expected to be affected by the strike.

The presenters' call comes after members of RTHK's programme staff union – many of them civil servants – voted to join a civil servants' rally on Friday night, as well as Monday's strike.

The union said the station's journalists would remain on duty, however, so they can bring the day's news to the public.

It also cited the broadcaster's administrative department as saying that staff who do not officially take leave on Monday will be considered as having taken an “unauthorised absence”.

The union alleged that the management is discriminating against members and called for clarification.