Hong Kong teachers forced to fight for wages at film director Alfred Cheung’s recruitment agency Dramatic English
- Company owned by acclaimed moviemaker has staff fuming over late payments, but chief executive lays blame at feet of schools
A recruitment agency owned by acclaimed Hong Kong film director Alfred Cheung Kin-ting has been accused of failing to pay the wages of at least 30 English teachers working at dozens of kindergartens.
One instructor said Dramatic English still owed wages from half a year ago. Others said the money paid was different to the amount stated in their contracts.
A company owner confirmed salaries had been transferred late but laid the blame with the schools, saying some had delayed settling payments.
In business since 2003, Dramatic English has 50 full-time educators working at nearly 100 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions. It also has staff teaching English through drama at international kindergartens and its own centres. It was understood about 30 teachers at 30 schools had been affected, some from overseas.
Company records show Dramatic English is wholly owned by DE Holdings, of which movie maestro turned educator Cheung is the director. Cheung is also the chairman of Dramatic English, best known for teaching the language using drama.
