Cathay Pacific warns it could fire staff for supporting ‘illegal…

August 12, 2019

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific warns it will fire staff who support ‘illegal protests’ as the city’s airport cancels ALL FLIGHTS due to a demonstration after woman was shot in the eye by police

China last week ordered Cathay Pacific to suspend certain staff because they ‘pose a threat to aviation safety’
As a result, the airline suspended one pilot and two ground employees in relation to the on-going protests
Hong Kong’s airport and streets witnessed another weekend of violent clashes between activists and police
One female protester faces losing her right eye after allegedly being shot in the face with a bean bag round
The incident has sparked more anger among protesters who have staged a new rally at the airport today
All remaining flights out of Hong Kong today have been cancelled as protesters occupy terminal buildings
The city’s police today showed off an anti-riot water cannon that could be used on demonstrators in future
China today slammed violent Hong Kong protests as ‘terrorism’ and said the city was at a critical juncture

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific today warned its staff that they could be fired if they ‘support or participate in illegal protests’ as the airline comes under pressure from Beijing.

The warning follows new regulations imposed by China’s aviation regulator, which requires the airline company to submit manifests of staff on flights to the mainland or through its airspace.

Cathay Pacific said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot charged with rioting and sacked two ground employees for misconduct in cases that are apparently related to the ongoing protests that have stretched into their 10th week with no sign of ending.

On the other hand, Hong Kong police have shown off a water cannon that could be used on demonstrators.

The demonstration of specially equipped armoured cars came after another weekend of protests at Hong Kong’s bustling international airport and on the streets of one of the city’s main shopping districts.

One female protester faces losing her right eye after being shot in the face with a bean bag round during a clash between police and demonstrators, it is reported.

The incident has sparked more anger among protesters who have gathered for a rally at the Hong Kong bustling international airport for a fourth day in a row. The airport is forced to cancel all remaining flights of the day due to the mass demonstration.

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All remaining flights out of Hong Kong International Airport on Monday have been cancelled after protesters swarmed to a terminal building to stage a sit-in. Pictured, demonstrators surround banners that read: ‘Those charge to the street on today is brave!’ (center top) and ‘Release all the detainees!’ during the peaceful rally at the arrival hall of the airport today

Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters have started three days of rallies at the city’s busy airport since Friday. The city’s streets witnessed another weekend of violent clashes between activists and police. One female demonstrator faces losing her eye after being hit by a bean bag round by the police in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday. The incident has sparked more anger in public

A protester covers her one eye with a gauze during the mass demonstration at Hong Kong International Airport today after news of a woman shot in the eye during a protest shocked the financial hub. Pro-democracy leaders were calling for as many as one million people to head to the Hong Kong airport today after 40 people were injured across the city over the weekend

A protester lays on the floor as she occupies the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport during the mass demonstration today. Police have also reported injuries among their ranks during weekend’s clashes, including eye irritation from laser pointers and burns from a petrol bomb. The city’s anti-extradition-bill protests have lasted 10 weeks so far

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has cancelled all flights not yet checked in by Monday afternoon and said traffic on roads to the airport was very congested and car park spaces were full. Demonstrators attend a protest at the departure hall today

Cathay Pacific said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot charged with rioting and sacked two employees for misconduct in cases that are apparently related to the ongoing protests. Beijing ordered the airline to suspend the staff on Friday

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has cancelled all flights not yet checked in by Monday afternoon, the agency said.

‘Other than departure flights that have completed the check- in process and the arrival flights already heading to Hong Kong, all other flights have been cancelled for the rest of today,’ the authority said in a statement.

Hong Kong is at a critical juncture after two months of anti-government street protests and violence there must stop, China’s Hong Kong and Macau affairs office said on Monday.

Increasingly restive protests have plunged Hong Kong into its most serious political crisis in decades, posing a challenge to the central government in Beijing.

Beijing also slammed violent protesters who had thrown petrol bombs at police officers and linked them to ‘terrorism’.

‘Hong Kong’s radical demonstrators have repeatedly used extremely dangerous tools to attack police officers, which already constitutes a serious violent crime, and also shows the first signs of terrorism emerging,’ said Yang Guang.

‘This wantonly tramples on Hong Kong’s rule of law and social order.’

On Friday, Beijing told Cathay Pacific that staff involved in the protests that have gripped Hong Kong for more than two months would be banned from flights to the mainland.

The airline has already said it will comply with those regulations, citing the importance of its business in China and the requirement to adhere to local rules.

But in a Monday message to staff, chief executive Rupert Hogg reiterated that Cathay Pacific employees would also face ‘disciplinary consequences’ if they get involved in the pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong police stage a water cannon demonstration today at the Police Tactical Unit compound. The demonstration of specially equipped armoured cars came after another weekend of protests at Hong Kong’s airport and on the streets

Legislators and journalists were invited to witness the display of extreme crowd control tactics, which Amnesty International warned last week could lead to serious injuries if misused within Hong Kong’s confined spaces

A dummy as a protester is showered by an anti-riot vehicle equipped with water cannon during a demonstration today

‘Cathay Pacific Group has a zero tolerance approach to illegal activities. Specifically, in the current context, there will be disciplinary consequences for employees who support or participate in illegal protests,’ Hogg wrote.

‘These consequences could be serious and may include termination of employment.’

Hogg also specifically warned employees not to support or participate in a new protest at Hong Kong airport called Monday.

Hong Kong is at a critical juncture after two months of anti-government street protests and violence there must stop, China’s Hong Kong and Macau affairs office said on Monday. Pictured, protesters demonstrate at the airport in Hong Kong today

Increasingly restive protests have plunged Hong Kong into its most serious political crisis in decades, posing a challenge to the central government in Beijing. Pictured, demonstrators hold up placards to protest against alleged police brutality

Yang Guang, a spokesman for the office in Beijing, delivered a televised address in which he backed police handling of the protests and said that those who care about the city should come out against violence. Pictured, anti-extradition bill protesters try to get close to the security gates during a mass demonstration today after a woman was shot in the eye

Hong Kong has experienced more than two months of mass protests calling for democratic reforms and an independent enquiry into police conduct. Pictured, anti-extradition bill protesters attend a mass demonstration at the airport today

The protest movement’s demands also include the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader and an election for her successor. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997 under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle

And he reminded staff that the ‘actions and words of our employees made outside of working hours can have a significant effect on the company.’

The protests in Hong Kong have infuriated Beijing and left Cathay Pacific in a difficult position.

It has already suspended a pilot who has been accused of rioting after allegedly participating in the Hong Kong protests.

And it said Saturday that it had fired two airport ground staff, without specifying why. Local media reported that they were accused of leaking the travel details of a Hong Kong police football team that was travelling to the mainland.

The firm is facing a boycott call in China, and its shares dropped more than four percent in Hong Kong trade on Monday.

Today, legislators and journalists were invited to witness the display of extreme crowd control tactics, which Amnesty International warned last week could lead to serious injuries if misused within Hong Kong’s confined spaces.

Over the weekend, protesters hurled bricks at officers and ignored warnings to leave before tear gas was deployed in the Sham Shui Po area, police said, calling a march there an ‘unauthorised assembly’. Pictured, a man watches over the huge crowd of protesters gathering at the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport today as the city’s protests continue

Protesters gather to condemn the city’s police after one female was shot by a bean bag round in the right eye on Sunday

Tear gas was also deployed in Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbour, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on the Kowloon side and in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. At one point, protesters blocked the entrance to a plaza to prevent police from entering. Pictured, protesters occupy the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport today after another weekend of clashes

A train station in Kwai Fong filled with smoke after about a dozen police officers fired tear gas inside. It was not clear how many protesters were inside the station at the time, but it has been rare for officers to fire tear gas indoors

During the weekend protests, website Hong Kong Free Press showed footage of one arrest that appeared to include officers pinning a demonstrator to the ground. The young man, who said his name was Chow Ka-lok and asked for a lawyer, was shown with a bleeding head wound and said he had a broken tooth.

Another female demonstrator was hit by a beanbag round fired by police in Tsim Sha Tsui during a clash on Sunday.

An ER doctor said the woman’s right eyeball was ruptured and there were fears she could lose her eye, according to South China Morning Post.

A protester is surrounded by riot police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on August 11. Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies against a controversial extradition bill since June 9, when the city was plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes

Protesters take cover from tear gas and rubber bullets fired from the police station in the Tsim Sha Tsui area after another evening of clashes with police

Protesters use a slingshot during more clashes with police at a demonstration in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. More protests are planned for later in the week

A protester is held down by riot police after a demonstration. Chants of ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ had earlier echoed through the streets

Pro-democracy leaders were calling for as many as one million people to head to the Hong Kong airport after 40 people were injured across the city during the violent confrontations over the weekend, the report said.

Police have also reported injuries among their ranks, including eye irritation from laser pointers and burns from a petrol bomb.

Protesters hurled bricks at officers and ignored warnings to leave before tear gas was deployed in the Sham Shui Po area, police said, calling a march there an ‘unauthorised assembly’.

Tear gas was also deployed in central Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbour, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on the Kowloon side and in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. At one point, protesters blocked the entrance to a plaza to prevent police from entering.

Anti-extradition bill protesters react from tear gas as riot police try to disperse them during a protest at Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong in the 10th week of violent showdowns

Police arrest anti-government protesters during a rally in Sham Shui Po in yet another day of demonstrations that has plunged Hong Kong into its most serious crisis in decades

Protesters with umbrellas and homemade shields as they face with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong as police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demonstration

Pro-Democracy protesters throw back tear gas fired by the police during a demonstratrion against the controversial extradition bill in Sham Shui Po district

An anti-extradition bill protester throws a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Wan Chai neighbourhood in Hong Kong

Police officers fire tear gas as anti-extradition bill protesters demonstrate in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood in Hong Kong

Earlier, a large group of mostly young protesters marched down the middle of Hennessey Road, a main shopping street in the Causeway Bay area, as a rally was held in nearby Victoria Park. Many wore face masks to shield their identities, and a few had helmets. Others just carried backpacks over the black T-shirts that have become their uniform.

The protest movement’s demands include the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, democratic elections for her successor, the release of those arrested in earlier protests and an investigation into police use of force.

A former British colony, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 under the principle of ‘one country, two systems,’ which promises the city certain democratic rights not afforded to people on the mainland. But in recent years, some have accused the Communist Party-ruled central government of steadily chipping away at their freedoms.

Banners at the rally in Victoria Park read ‘Give Hong Kong back to us’ and ‘Withdraw the evil law,’ the latter a reference to an extradition bill that was the original spark for the protests. A large crowd sat under umbrellas, which are both a protest symbol in Hong Kong and protection from the summer heat.

At the airport, a flight attendant protesting on his day off, who gave only his surname, Lau, said heavy-handed police tactics had alienated some among the public.

‘The police have told a lot of lies to Hong Kong people. We cannot believe them any more. We have to come here to protest,’ Lau said. China has reportedly threatened to bar air crew who take part in protests from its air space.

Another protester, who identified herself only as Bea, said she had taken the day off work to express her outrage.

‘I feel that I have to do something… It’s just too sad to see what has happened. The police action has gone totally nonsensical,’ she said.

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