Investors of the embattled ATV told employees in a meeting yesterday that their delayed salaries are “not important” amid a prolonged liquidity crisis.
An estimated three hundred disgruntled employees were told by Si’s representative, Jan He, that their salaries would not be paid for another month.
He reportedly said that their payment is “not important” compared to the channel’s sustainability, Mingpao reports.
According to He, Si also expressed his disapproval that the station staff’s delayed wages were covered by ATV’s news department, saying negative coverage went against the ailing broadcaster’s values.
An ATV employee told the SCMP that the news staff were “really angry” as Si’s statement interfered with press freedom.
A few hours later, a spokesperson from ATV management reported that the company would do its “utmost” to pay overdue December and January salaries by this Friday, according to the SCMP.
ATV has been embroiled in the liquidity crisis since last year, among other controversies. Earlier this week, the channel’s news broadcasts were suspended.
Around 20 employees stormed out of the meeting room as a result, while others complained they were struggling due to the two-month pay delay.
There was a service disruption on the channel’s broadcast during the period, which was speculated to have stemmed from the disgruntled employees.
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