Hong Kong workers are preparing to give up their Lunar New Year break. New scaffold net rules, set after a deadly fire, have paused many building projects. This leaves about 700 workers unpaid for over two months. Anson Hui Po-lung, a plumber, struggles as facade work, which made up 70% of his HK$40,000 monthly income, is on hold. He now earns only HK$10,000 from small repairs. Hui said, "If there is any emergency repair during the Lunar New Year holiday, I will still work as I can earn more money … Previously, I took a one-week break." Many projects stopped at the start of December after all scaffold nets were removed for fire safety checks. By mid-February, only 25 projects have reinstalled nets under strict new rules. Labour groups warn unemployment will rise as work stalls. Hui cannot afford new clothes or family travel, still pays alimony, supports his elderly mother, and pays rent. Many workers share similar hardships, ready to work through holidays just to make ends meet.