Former Tuen Mun Sun Hoi Merchants Association Secondary School principal Lee Cheuk-hing is pursuing an employment claim of about HK$960,000 against the school’s incorporated management committee and the Overseas Hong Kong Sun Hoi Merchants Association Education Organisation. The Labour Tribunal has scheduled a formal hearing for 1 December 2026, after the school rejected a settlement.
Lee says the school had no proper grounds to dismiss him and is seeking payment in lieu of notice, severance pay and long-service payment. His original claim also included sickness allowance, seven days’ wages and a shortfall in the employer’s contribution to a provident fund scheme, but he has withdrawn the claims for sickness allowance and the contribution shortfall after the relevant issues were reportedly settled privately.
The dispute follows a Singapore exchange trip in May, during which Lee allegedly argued with local security staff and used offensive language. The school says the conduct was serious enough to justify summary dismissal, and that it affected his ability to continue serving as a principal.
The school said it would rely on a “game incident” on 21 May, a “tour bus incident” on 22 May and related video footage. It said the bus had stopped on double yellow lines and that Lee shouted loudly, and claimed he acknowledged both incidents after the tour ended. These are the school’s stated allegations and remain to be tested at trial.
The parties also give different accounts of when the dismissal was communicated. Lee says his contract was terminated while he was on paid sick leave and that he was not given sufficient notice or payment in lieu. The school says it had notified him of the dismissal before he submitted his sick-leave certificate, and had contacted him by email and registered post.
Lee was reportedly suspended on 26 May and dismissed on 2 June, according to the school’s account. The tribunal will have to decide whether his conduct justified immediate dismissal, whether notice or related compensation was owed, and the outcome of his remaining claims. Both sides must file further documents before the 1 December hearing.