More than 30 of about 120 employees affected by the sudden closure of nine restaurants operated by a giant Hong Kong catering group have sought help from labour authorities, with a representative saying the debt involved has increased to HK$5 million (US$637,155).

The workers have sought help after 33-year-old restaurant chain King Parrot Group closed its nine eateries on Friday. It ran over 20 brands and more than 30 themed restaurants at its peak.

The manager of a China House restaurant in Mei Foo, run by the group, was among those who showed up at the Labour Department on Monday. She said the restaurant was among the nine that had been closed.

“We [managers of different restaurants] were called to the office for a meeting in the afternoon during service hours, and were told that restaurants would shut down on the spot,” the manager, surnamed Chan, said.

“It is tough for us proletarians in this economy of ever-shutting-down restaurants, but what can we do?

“You do not earn, then you do not eat; we will still have to pay our rent and everything.”