Periscope

Hong Kong used to be known for its manufacturing but most of its factories moved to the Mainland in the 1980s. Now, some are coming back and the government is trying to promote reindustrialisation to diversify the economy. Varsity looks at the challenges facing those who are trying to revive industry in Hong Kong.

The success of small budget local films such as "Ten Years" and "Mad World" in recent years has led to talk of a possible revival of Hong Kong movies, led by a new generation of independent filmmakers. But is this just wishful thinking in an industry now dominated by Hong Kong-mainland co-productions?

This issue of Periscope looks at the difficulties workers face in claiming compensation for industrial accidents, at the uphill struggle to improve workplace conditions and get recognition for work-related health problems in the service industry, and at attempts by freelancers and casual workers to form unions.

The number of deaths on Hong Kong's construction sites has bucked the overall downward trend in industrial accidents across sectors in Hong Kong. But labour groups say the real number of workers killed and maimed on the job is higher than the official statistics suggest - because employers hide workplace accidents to avoid costly compensation claims.

Many regulations on workplace safety and occupational diseases were drawn up when Hong Kong's economy was based on industry and manufacturing. Most workers are now employed in the service sector but activists say common work-related ailments in the service industries aren't properly acknowledged.

Permanent, stable employment is quickly becoming a thing of the past as businesses around the world increasingly hire freelancers and casual labour. For some young people, working as freelancers in the so-called gig economy promises flexibility and freedom but some are fast discovering the flipside of casual work arrangements and are beginning to unionise.

A rare spotlight has been shone on prison life lately, a result of so many prominent Hong Kong figures behind bars or facing prison...

After years of suffering in silence, former juvenile offenders are speaking up about alleged abuse by prison officers in Hong Kong's detention centres for young offenders. They say the current complaints system for reporting cases of abuse is ineffective and lacks independence.

Hong Kong people who are detained in the Mainland find themselves grappling with unfamiliar legal, judicial and prison systems, and with little or no help from Hong Kong authorities.

Hong Kong has the highest ratio of women as a percentage of the prison population in the world. Varsity takes a look at the plight of female prisoners, including those incarcerated with their babies and those who may be human trafficking victims.