Hong Kong Airport Services was accused this week of owing up to HK$30 million in back pay and allowances to more than 1000 of its workers and former staff. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dragonair, and it offers ground handling services at the Hong Kong International Airport.

The accusation came from the deputy general secretary of the Staff and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines, Ip Wai-ming, who said the company had "mixed up" the statutory holidays and the regular rest days of staff since the airport was opened in 1998. He also accused the company of not complying with the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance with regard to allowances, overtime pay and shift duties.

However the company's director and general manager, Jon Conway, said the management was waiting for a second legal opinion on the issue, but that it had set aside money should it be required to make these payments.

Ip said the union had written to the company in late July and again in early August seeking a solution, but had received no response.