Centaline takes topdollar in cash race

Sophie Hui

Centaline Property Agency has received a whopping HK$115 million - the highest amount of aid under the employment support scheme - to retain 5,612 workers.

That was revealed after the government yesterday announced the third batch of around 30,000 firms to benefit from the scheme.

The companies received a total of HK$7.7 billion in wage subsidies for June to August and committed to maintaining a total paid headcount exceeding 330,000.

Centaline's subsidy topped Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital's HK$85.9 million for 3,238 staff.

Television Broadcasts obtained HK$85.6 million for 3,167 employees to rank third on the list so far.

The media giant had earlier received HK$12.9 million for 471 workers in its five subsidiaries - MyTV Super, TVB New Media Group, TVB Publications, TVB Anywhere and Big Big Channel.

Three other property companies were in the latest batch: Midland Business Management (HK$63.2 million for 3,141 staff), Jones Lang Lasalle (HK$52.7 million for 2,258 employees) and Ricacorp Properties (HK$47.2 million for 2,105 workers).

The SAR's biggest cosmetics retailer, Sa Sa, received HK$59.8 million for 2,165 workers.

Of the three batches, 126 firms have received subsidies amounting to more than HK$10 million. Newly added companies include drinks firm Vitasoy International, construction contractor Dragages Hong Kong, Prince Jewellery and Watch and beauty products firm Estee Lauder (Hong Kong).

Several catering and food products firms are also on the list, including Tsui Wah Efford Management, Teawood Taiwanese Dining Bar, PizzaExpress (Hong Kong) and Nissin Foods.

Media groups Oriental Daily (known as OPG Human Resources) and Apple Daily received HK$29.8 million and HK$20.5 million for 1,195 and 744 staff.

Four aviation companies were also listed - Jardine Airport Services, LSG Lufthansa Service Hong Kong, AHK Air Hong Kong and Air Canada.

Details of the fourth batch - totaling HK$6.3 billion for some 11,000 employers covering 270,000 workers - have yet to be revealed.

Under the scheme, business owners will receive half of their workers' wages for six months, with the monthly subsidy for each capped at HK$9,000.

Some 59,000 firms in two previous batches were disclosed in the past two weeks, with a total of HK$11.3 billion distributed to cover some 480,000 employees.

The scheme received 168,799 applications from employers and 259,680 from the self-employed.

So far, 60 percent of applications have been approved, involving HK$25.4 billion for 1.11 million employees.