CRI听力:Hong Kong Disneyland Lays off 100 Staff

Hong Kong Disneyland has, for the first time since it opened over a decade ago, has been forced to lay off employees.

Around 100 back-office staffers, said to be mostly restaurant and hotel management, as well as security, have reportedly been handed pink sheets.

The park itself employs more than 5-thousand people, and frontline workers are not being affected by the lay-off at the moment.

However, this has led to unease among employees at Disneyland in Hong Kong.

"I am afraid to be fired."

"There is no use to worry too much. Some will lose jobs, some will find jobs after all."

Disneyland has been tight-lipped about the lay-offs, only saying the decision is an "operational adjustment."

Hong Kong Disneyland Cast Members' Union representative Ng Koon-kwan is demanding an explanation from management.

"They didn't tell us clearly how many people would be fired. We think it is important for every one of us to have a job, and we hope the company could see the matter from a long-term view. It doesn't mean that they are going to make profit by cutting the number of employees. So we are going to negotiate with the management, and see what the situation really is. Every one is worried now."

The reported lay-offs come after the park reported a loss of about $150 million HK dollars last year, its first loss in 5-years.

Total visitor numbers last year dropped by almost 10 percent to 6.8 million, with a 23-percent decline in mainland tourists visiting the park.

Adding to the uncertainty for employees at Disney Land is the surprise resignation last month of long-time managing director Andrew Kam.

Lien Yeung-ping, Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, says they're concerned the lay-offs from such a large big international company may end up prompting other multi-nationals in Hong Kong to consider a similar move.

"There will be a chain effect. When people have lower incomes, or even lose our jobs, we have no money for consumption. Other sectors will be hit as consequence. It has been quite bleak over the past year in the retail sector, and we have no confidence in future."

Hong Kong Labor Secretary Matthew Cheung admits Hong Kong's service industry is suffering, but says there are other ways companies can save money, rather than jus cutting positions.

"We understand some companies are going through a hard time. But I would recommend they move to streamline their structure and how they use their manpower to minimize the need for job cuts. I understand Disneyland's decision. The money they pay their employees is well above minimum wage. But we also don't want to see people lose their jobs at any time."

Another famous theme park in Hong Kong, Ocean Park, says it has no plans for layoffs at the moment, even though it too has been struggling amid the downturn in tourist numbers.

Disney Land Hong Kong is believed to be losing traction as mainland consumers wait until the new theme park in Shanghai this summer to enjoy their Disney experience.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.