CE Pledges Strict Law Enforcement on Construction Quality as Independent Committee Investigates Tai Po Fire

Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo

Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (October 6):

Reporter: Good morning, Chief Executive. The first question is regarding a series of substandard construction scandals in recent months. How will you convince the public that Hong Kong's construction industry remains credible, and will the Government further strengthen monitoring and oversight mechanisms? And secondly, regarding the Tai Po fire investigation, can you confirm that the Government has activated the Tier Two of the Head of Department's accountability system in relation to the fire, and that a dedicated task force has been set up to handle the accountability issues? What is the scope of this internal investigation, and what is its timeline? Can you tell the public how much longer will they have to wait for before any officials are held accountable? Thank you.

Chief Executive: Regarding construction quality issues, particularly the case that occurred in One Stanley, I can tell you that the Buildings Department is actively investigating the case to ascertain whether it involves problems of construction quality and whether site supervision has been properly carried out. The Government will handle the matter strictly in accordance with the law. At this stage, as the investigation is actively ongoing, I will not comment on its details. But I must stress that I attach great importance to the construction quality of building works in Hong Kong. I am also concerned as to whether the professionals involved in the works have discharged their duties of supervision properly, and whether the contractor has carried out the works in breach of requirements. These concern the professional standards, quality, and safety of Hong Kong's construction works. The Government will definitely enforce the law strictly. I have asked the Development Bureau to monitor the investigation of this case, and construction works standard as a whole, to raise the regulatory regime and penalties under the law, to ensure strong deterrence and to severely punish those involved in any violations. We must safeguard the high professional standards, quality, and safety of Hong Kong's construction works. Earlier, the Government has already indicated that the Development Bureau will submit this year proposed amendments to the Buildings Ordinance to strengthen regulation, increase the penalty and punishment for malpractice and substandard performance. The Development Bureau will proceed at full steam with this important work.

Wang Fuk Court, Photo source: reference image

Regarding the fire at Wang Fuk Court, and I think everybody remembers when the fire happened, I immediately set up three task forces to handle, first, law investigation and strengthening of regulations, second, co-ordinate fundraising and provide support, and third, emergency accommodation and long-term resettlement arrangements for the residents. I've also established the Independent Committee (Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po) to investigate the cause of the fire, prevent re-occurrence, and pursue accountability. In the Policy Address I delivered in September, I announced seven priority reform initiatives, including smoking ban at construction sites, enhancing regulation on fire service installations and equipment, tightening disciplinary actions and penalties for professionals and contractors, raising operational standards of owners' meetings, examining criminalisation of bid-rigging, launching new tender invitation and evaluation services, setting up vetted lists of qualified consultants and contractors, and examining feasible options to better assist the public in handling matters involving professional knowledge in building-maintenance work. I've also stated that upon the submission of the Independent Committee's report, the Government will study it and follow it up, particularly the recommendations, and I shall implement reforms and announce the details.

The Government has already made a series of preparations. Upon receipt of the Independent Committee's report, the Government will, based on its contents, implement comprehensive reforms as soon as possible and pursue accountability. Details will then be announced in full.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Employer sanctioned for violating requirements of local recruitment under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme

The Labour Department (LD) today (October 6) announced the imposition of an administrative sanction on First Global Pacific Holdings Limited. With immediate effect, the LD has terminated the processing of the application for importing labour previously submitted by the company under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS). In parallel, the LD will, from today, refuse to process any applications submitted by the company under the ESLS for a period of two years.

"After an investigation, the LD established that the above company had breached the local recruitment requirements under the ESLS by imposing additional recruitment terms without the LD's approval and failing to employ a qualified job seeker without reasonable excuse, etc, while applying for the importation of general office clerks and painters. An administrative sanction is thus imposed," a spokesman for the LD said.

The spokesman stressed, "Employers applying for the importation of workers under the ESLS should strictly comply with the scheme requirements, including according priority to employing suitable local workers. The ESLS stipulates that if an employer violates labour or immigration laws, the requirements of the ESLS, or the Standard Employment Contract, the LD will impose an administrative sanction on the employer. Such sanctions may include terminating the processing of submitted applications of the employer, withdrawing approvals for the importation of workers previously granted, and refusing to process any subsequent applications submitted by the employer."

The Labour Department, Photo source: reference image