Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick says minibus operators will have no choice but to cut working hours, which means drivers will earn less money
A recent law amendment intended to protect part-time workers may still allow employers to sidestep providing benefits to their staff and create a more challenging business environment for several sectors, such as minibuses, some legislators have said.
The concerns were raised on Thursday, a day after the Legislative Council approved the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 in an 84-3 vote.
The amended law, which will take effect on January 18, 2026, stipulates that an employee who works 68 hours over four weeks will be entitled to a full range of statutory benefits, including paid annual leave and sickness allowance.
It aims to plug the loophole, which has long been criticised by labour unions and manipulated by unscrupulous employers, particularly in the retail, catering and security industries.
