Hong Kong bakery Taipan closes after 41 years owing HK$16 million in wages
Labour Department says it has helped about 120 employees register claims, primarily involving outstanding wages and severance payments

Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan Bread & Cakes, which invented “snow skin” mooncakes, has closed all of its branches after 41 years in business, with authorities estimating it owes at least HK$16 million (US$2 million) in unpaid wages and severance pay.
The Labour Department said on Tuesday that it had helped about 120 employees register claims as of 3pm, primarily involving outstanding wages and severance payments, with the total amount reaching about HK$16 million.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the chain was estimated to have over 200 employees and more were expected to approach the department.
“We understand that their primary concern is the unpaid wages for May and June. Of course, upon closure, there are also arrears concerning their severance pay and accrued holiday entitlements or holiday pay,” Sun said.
He said the government was fully committed to helping the employees, including with applications to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund.
The department had contacted the person in charge at Taipan over the past two days, clarifying the firm’s obligations under the Employment Ordinance, Sun said.