2 w. ago 199 Hongkongers seek help after closure of ‘snow skin’ mooncake inventor Taipan

About 200 employees of a 41-year-old Hong Kong bakery chain, known for its “snow skin” mooncakes, have sought help after the firm’s abrupt closure, a trade union has said, with debts snowballing to more than HK$38 million (US$4.8 million). The Hotels, Food and Beverage Employees Association said on Wednesday that workers at Taipan Bread & Cakes had already anticipated a possible closure because the company had not recruited more employees for producing and packaging mooncakes in mid-June, when...

Politics

2 w. ago Closure of Hong Kong’s Taipan bakery leaves 211 employees seeking HK$32 million

The closure of a 41-year-old Hong Kong bakery chain, known for its “snow skin” mooncakes, has left 211 employees seeking help from labour authorities over HK$32 million (US$4.1 million) in unpaid wages, dismissal compensation and other debts. The Labour Department said on Wednesday that the sum owed by Taipan Bread & Cakes mostly consisted of unpaid wages and dismissal compensation. “We are very concerned about the incident and urge the affected employees to register their information with the...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan, creator of snowy mooncakes, closes after 41 years

Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan Bread and Cakes, which invented snowy mooncakes, has closed all its branches after 41 years in business. Notices announcing the closure were seen at several chain branches on Tuesday. “Due to many unpredictable and irresistible shocks recently, our company regretfully announces that it will officially cease operations from [Tuesday],” a notice said. “Thank you for your support and love for our company over the years. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong bakery Taipan, creator of snow skin mooncakes, closes after 41 years

Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan Bread and Cakes, which invented snow skin mooncakes, has closed all its branches after 41 years in business. Notices announcing the closure were seen at several chain branches on Tuesday. “Due to many unpredictable and irresistible shocks recently, our company regretfully announces that it will officially cease operations from [Tuesday],” a notice said. “Thank you for your support and love for our company over the years. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong bakery Taipan closes after 41 years owing ‘HK$10 million in wages’

Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan Bread & Cakes, which invented “snow skin” mooncakes, has closed all of its branches after 41 years in business, with the labour minister estimating it owes more than 200 workers about HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) in unpaid wages and severance pay. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that 82 of the bakery’s more than 200 workers had approached the Labour Department to register wages owed to them as of noon. “We understand that their...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong bakery Taipan closes after 41 years owing HK$16 million in wages

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...

Economics