LegCo Member: HKFTU receives requests for assistance from over 100 PHYSICAL Fitness & Beauty coaches for unpaid wages
Last Friday (Sept. 6), the fitness chain PHYSICAL Fitness & Beauty announced the sudden temporary closure of all its locations, leaving many members who had prepaid for packages and renewals in shock and financial loss.
Bill Tang Ka-piu, a Legislative Council member from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said today in a radio program that the organization has received calls for help from over a hundred fitness instructors and beauticians. These workers, according to him, said that the company has failed to pay Mandatory Provident Fund contributions for two months and has not paid salaries for one month, with estimated unpaid wages amounting to approximately HK$15 million.
Tang revealed that some fitness instructors at the chain had recently been pressured to increase sales, including a questionable offer of renewing memberships for ten years at a price of HK$8,000.
"Employees had already sensed that the company was facing financial difficulties."
Concerns have been raised regarding new investors who are expected to take over operations under a new brand. However, to date, no notifications have been provided to members or employees regarding the transition. Questions remain about whether the new company will honor the existing memberships and how it plans to address the outstanding salary issues for former employees.
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