It's been a struggle for Tong Koon-lee, a 44-year-old truck driver, his wife and two kids, since he lost his job last December. He'd been driving lorries steadily for nearly twenty years. Then his company laid him off.

"As the bread-winner of my family, I need to provide for my wife and kids," he said, "but I'm not so sure I'm doing such a good job as I've been out-of-work for close to five months now."

"I'm basically eating out of my savings, which is almost all gone now. I have to borrow from friends and relatives just to make ends meet," he added

Tong is disappointed that his company chose to lay him off: "I know their business has been suffering and that very little orders are being made. But still, a company should look out for its workers first and foremost."

He has lost all confidence in the future of the industry. As to his own future, he really doesn't see one.

Tong tried looking for work in other fields but opportunities for someone with his education and skills are few.

"I've been to interviews for positions as a commercial bus driver but all of them have turned me down."

It came as a hard choice for him, but Tong had to give in to necessity and apply for social welfare.

In the meantime, he and his family wait, their resources dwindling, while his application is under review.

(HK Edition 04/21/2009 page1)