Hong Kong’s labour minister has urged former staff of the now-defunct Physical gym chain to ensure their interests are protected if they sign contracts with a new investor that has said it has retained about 200 of the workers.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han also said on Saturday his department had received requests for help from about 770 former employees of the chain and had arranged for them to file formal claims with authorities.

He said the government would soon file a winding-up petition to help the affected employees apply for ex gratia payments from the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund and recover wages, payments in lieu of notice and severance pay.

“We hope to initiate and complete the relevant procedures as soon as possible to assist the employees,” Sun said.

“If employees sign any employment contract with a new employer, they should read the terms clearly to ensure that their interests are not harmed in any way,” he said, adding that Labour Department staff would offer help to those in need.

Medical beauty firm Perface announced on Friday it intended to take over the now-closed gym chain.