More than 100 employees of Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong staged a strike on Thursday following the summary dismissal of a lorry driver involved in a minor traffic accident. The workers’ union alleged the move was aimed at penalising one of its own committee members, while police declared the demonstration an “unlawful assembly.”
The dispute stems from an incident on 1 August, when driver Mr Wong, who had worked for the company for 18 years, accidentally struck an elderly pedestrian while reversing his vehicle in Tseung Kwan O. The woman sustained injuries, though her condition has not been disclosed.
Coca-Cola management said dashcam footage showed Wong had not worn a seatbelt while reversing, in breach of company safety rules. Following an internal investigation, he was dismissed immediately on 4 September. The company emphasised that public safety was its top priority and insisted the dismissal followed proper procedures.
The union representing Swire Coca-Cola staff condemned the decision, noting that Hong Kong law does not require drivers to wear seatbelts when reversing, and pointing out that the company had rarely terminated employees over traffic accidents in the past. It also suggested the dismissal was politically motivated because Wong is a member of the union’s executive committee.
Union leaders further criticised the company for refusing to cover Wong’s legal fees, despite initially providing a lawyer. Wong has already paid HK$15,000 (£1,500) in legal costs and is due for further police interviews next month.
Workers on strike outside the company’s Sha Tin bottling plant demanded Wong’s reinstatement, legal support for staff facing prosecution, and the removal of telematics monitoring devices from vehicles, which they argue are being misused to discipline drivers.
Wong, visibly shaken, told reporters that the sudden dismissal was the most “unhappy and helpless” moment of his career, and said he now faced severe financial uncertainty. He had earned between HK$20,000 and HK$25,000 (£2,000–£2,500) a month as the primary breadwinner for his family.
By late morning, around 20 uniformed police officers had arrived at the protest site and declared the strike an unlawful assembly, a designation that carries potential criminal liability in Hong Kong. Company executives did not appear to address the workers’ demands.
Source: The Collecitve HK