A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union (HKCIEGU) revealed that over 80% of construction workers oppose the importation of foreign labor to alleviate the city's labor shortage. The survey, conducted between April 20 and May 3, 2023, interviewed 608 workers and found that 81.3% disagreed with the proposed policy, while 76.8% believed it would lead to local unemployment.
Concerns over safety and wages were also prominent, with 39.3% of respondents anticipating more accidents and 70.5% fearing a decrease in salaries if foreign workers were brought in. Union representatives questioned the legitimacy of the claimed labor shortage, suggesting it was an "illusion" created by unrealistic construction timelines and poor working conditions.
Union chairperson Wong Ping asserted that a sufficient number of local workers were available, citing the 600,000 registered construction workers in Hong Kong and the many seeking employment through the union. They argued that improving working conditions, offering reasonable salaries, and organizing construction projects more effectively would attract and retain local workers, negating the need for imported labor.
The union also criticized the low compliance with the recently introduced three-tier heatstroke warning system, highlighting the lack of legal enforcement and the pressure on workers to continue working despite potentially dangerous conditions. They urged developers to permit project delays during heatstroke warnings and emphasized the need for improved safety measures.
Source: HKFP
