Around 60 construction workers who were working on building new student residences at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have not been paid for two months, totaling HK$2 million in unpaid wages, as reported by a prominent union.
In addition to the unpaid wages, the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union stated that about a dozen subcontractors are also seeking over HK$60 million in project fees from the main contractor, Paul Y. Engineering Group.
A recent Facebook post displayed the workers protesting at the construction site located at the Clearwater Bay campus on Monday morning.
Mr. Chau, a representative from the union, mentioned that this is not the first instance where workers have faced delays in receiving their wages. In fact, construction work was even halted between May and June of this year due to payment issues.
He informed RTHK that the workers have demanded that the school officials address and resolve the dispute by the end of the week.
Despite these challenges, work on the project is still ongoing after a new contractor, Hip Hing Construction, took over the project just last month, Chau confirmed.
As per the information available on HKUST’s website, the construction of this HK$1.2 billion project began in 2020 with an initial completion date set for last year.
The eight-storey project, designed by the renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects, is intended to provide accommodation for 1,500 students along with communal amenities and a sports hall.
In light of these recent developments, it is crucial for all parties involved to come to a swift resolution to ensure that the workers receive their rightful wages and that the project can progress smoothly. Delays and disputes not only impact the livelihoods of the workers but also have implications for the timely completion of the much-needed student residences. It is essential for the school officials, contractors, and subcontractors to work together to address these issues promptly and fairly to uphold the integrity of the project and support the well-being of the workers.