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Hong Kong economy
Hong KongHong Kong Economy

60% of Hong Kong film and TV workers experienced salary delays, university survey finds

  • Lingnan University research team says most of the film and TV industry workers face fragmented employment patterns, which make it difficult for them to seek fairer treatment
  • ‘We believe that the government should take the lead in urging the industry to introduce standard contracts, promote the culture of signing a full agreement before starting work,’ it adds

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27th HKTDC Hong Kong International Film and TV Market. A university surveyed 212 people working in film and television industry between April 2023 and January 2024. Photo: Elson Li
Emily HungandNg Kang-chung
More than 60 per cent of Hong Kong’s film and television industry workers experienced delays in wages, with almost one-fifth of them lasting for as long as six months, a university survey has found.

The Lingnan University research team on Tuesday called on the government, a major industry investor, to take the lead in promoting reasonable working conditions, including hiring employees under standard contracts, in their funded projects.

“Most of the film and television workers face fragmented employment patterns, making it difficult for them to seek improvements in their treatment,” Professor Pun Ngai, head of the university’s department of cultural studies, said.

“We believe that the government should take the lead in urging the industry to introduce standard contracts, promote the culture of signing a full agreement before starting work and address the occupational safety and health risks during the production period to safeguard the freelance workers’ interests.”

A production company shows movie-making technologies. More than 60 per cent of the industry workers have experienced salary delays. Photo: Elson Li
A production company shows movie-making technologies. More than 60 per cent of the industry workers have experienced salary delays. Photo: Elson Li

Between April 2023 and January 2024, the university surveyed 212 respondents aged between 18 and 65 working in film, television, advertising and online video production, and conducted interviews with 44 of them.

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