Disbanded teachers union members to receive $3,190

Eunice Lam

All eligible members of the disbanded Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union will each receive HK$3,190 after the union announced its dissolution in September 2021.

The union said in relation to its dissolution, it will distribute and pay the surplus funds in equal shares to all qualified members as of August 10, 2021 - the date the union announced to activate the dissolution arrangements.

"We have now completed all regulatory audits, an investigation undertaken by the Inland Revenue Department, settlement of outstanding tax liabilities, as well as preparation of the distribution of the surplus fund maintained by the HKPTU," the union said.

All qualified members include regular and honorary members, but not those who terminated their membership on or after August 10, 2021.

The sum of HK$3,190 includes the net proceeds of the sale of the union's properties after deducting staff dismissal expenses, repayment of outstanding liabilities due from the HKPTU, audit fees, outstanding tax liabilities and administrative expenses.

Members can choose to receive the fund by way of crossed checks or direct bank transfers.

The union also hired Acclime Corporate Advisory Hong Kong to handle the distribution of funds, which is one of the admitted firms to the Administrative Panel of Insolvency Practitioners for Court Winding-Up by the Official Receiver of the HKSAR.

Any surplus funds available upon the distribution will be donated to local educational or approved charitable entities, the union added.

"We will then submit the notice of the dissolution to the Registry of Trade Unions pursuant to the relevant ordinance and regulations," it said, and the dissolution process is expected to be finished within next year.

It also advised members to provide Acclime with the required information by December 11 to help the union dissolve in a "proper and orderly manner," while reminding members to stay vigilant to protect their personal data and prevent fraudulent acts.

"After traversing half a century, HKPTU is soon to draw its final chapter. We are grateful for the members' care and support over the years," the union said.

The union had over 95,000 members before its disbandment, and all four properties owned by the union were sold in 2021, involving cash totaling HK$400 million.

On July 31, 2021, state media Xinhua and People's Daily called the union "a poisonous tumor" that must be "eradicated."

On the same day, the Education Bureau announced it would no longer recognize the union, and ceased all working relations with the PTU.

In the news conference announcing the disbandment on August 10, 2021, the union's then-president Fung Wai-wah said it was the "last option" as there was no other feasible solution.