Business leaders call for half-day 'thank you leave' for staff who vote in LegCo poll

Prominent businessman and CPPCC Standing Committee member Peter Lam Kin-ngok has called on companies to grant employees who vote on Legislative Council (LegCo) election day a half-day “thank you leave,” a proposal that has already gained widespread support across major chambers and corporations.

His comments came as the Legislative Council election is set for December 7, with Hong Kong’s business community joining the government’s citywide drive to encourage voter participation.

Lam, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, made the appeal together with the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA). Under the proposed arrangement, employees who show the “Thank You Card” given to voters at polling stations would be entitled to a half-day holiday.

He said the initiative is aimed at recognizing civic participation while reinforcing public support for the upcoming election, which he described as crucial to ensuring good governance and contributing to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.

“The arrangement not only supports and encourages employees to take part in the election, but also demonstrates the community’s shared commitment to Hong Kong’s good governance and progress,” Lam said.

The initiative has quickly gained traction, drawing endorsements from major organizations including the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Chinese Manufacturers’ Association, Belt and Road General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, and Lai Sun Group.

Lam added that Hong Kong is at a “critical stage of development,” stressing that the upcoming Legislative Council election is key to the full implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and the city’s future progress. “This election concerns the well-being and interests of all citizens,” he said.

Beyond the business sector, the Chinese University of Hong Kong also sent messages to staff and students encouraging them to exercise their civic rights by voting.

The university said it echoed the Education Bureau’s appeal for eligible voters to actively participate in the election to advance Hong Kong’s educational and social development. Teachers registered under the Education functional constituency were reminded to vote at their assigned polling stations.

A number of public bodies and private companies have followed suit. Sino Group has announced that staff will be granted a half-day off to facilitate voting, while employees of the Tourism Board will be eligible for the same upon presenting their “Thank You Card.”