Unpaid contractors hung banners at the newly refurbished building All photos: Internet
A rare event for Hong Kong occurred last Friday, 16 June, when workers went to the Ho Chung Welfare Facilities Block, Hiram’s Highway, (the old Sai Kung Central Primary School site) to recover unpaid wages. They hung banners and placards with the words “No sweat, no pay” and “Pay our wages” in protest.
One of the protesters sat in the bucket of a bucket truck
Two of them sat on the roof of the building and one person climbed into the bucket of a bucket truck to protest. According to on-site information, the project they were working on had been completed for one year, but the construction company has not yet paid them. Among them, the contractor who erected the scaffold was owed about HK$600,000.
Haven of Hope Christian Services, who run the new enterprise, expressed deep concern and astonishment over the incident and arrived at the scene to understand what was going on. They contacted the relevant construction company. It is hoped that they can respond to the workers’ demands as soon as possible.
Protesters on the roof of the building as firefighters deploy an air cushion
The incident finished around 11:30 am after firefighters and police had deployed a life-saving air cushion on the ground floor of the building, and at the same time went to the rooftop to calm the men down.
The new complex features five thematic “oases” which include a rooftop café for the elderly and mentally handicapped people to carry out leisure activities, exercise, sensory training and horticultural therapy. There are 60 hostel places for the severely mentally handicapped; 100 home-for-the-aged places; and day-care centre services for 30 eligible elders.
The refurbishment of the old school has been the focus of complaints before. BUZZ highlighted the cutting down of trees along the Ho Chung river in 2021.
Be the first to comment