Hong Kong: Over 120 migrant construction workers allege employer wage theft & other abuses; union urges gov’t action
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In September 2024, Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union said that over 120 migrant construction workers had raised complaints to them of labour rights violations, including wage theft, threatening behaviour and arbitrary dismissal, as reported by Hong Kong Free Press.
The union said some of the workers had been threatened by agents and fired for reporting abuses.
The union feels very angry and disappointed that those management agents bullied and exploited non-local workers. Those workers came to work in Hong Kong, miles from home.Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union
The abuses follow the Government’s increase in the quota for non-local labour in construction and the introduction of the Labour Important Scheme for the sector.
Later reporting in September says Hong Kong authorities have halted the scheme following the news of abusive working conditions, and that the police were investigating the claims. However, Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union’s Rights and Complaints Officer also noted that the reduction in business in the sector had likely also played a role in the suspension of the scheme.
Other civil society organisations have separately revealed findings that 86% of outdoor cleaners in Hong Kong experience heatstroke and 60% of construction workers find Government heat warning ineffective. Read more here.