The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union has called on the industry to adopt a monthly salary system to better protect workers' livelihoods and attract talent.

The union polled about 1,100 workers in August and September and found that half of them had been underemployed over the previous three months, and more than 20 percent had no work at all.

Nearly 40 percent said their pay had been cut over the past year, while more than 40 percent said their wages were delayed.

The union attributed the decline in pay to a reduction in overall infrastructure projects.

It said the survey also showed only stonemasons got a pay rise of 6.67 percent this year – with daily wages up by HK$100 to HK$1,600 – while workers in some 20 other trades had their wages frozen.

The union has proposed a trial monthly salary system, starting with government contracts.

"Based on the latest survey results, the general union advocates promoting a monthly salary system in the construction industry, prioritising pilot implementation in government projects where work processes are relatively stable, project timelines are more continuous and management conditions are more mature," Chiu Kin-keung, a vice chairman of the union said on Wednesday.

"This aims to gradually establish a construction workforce that offers greater protection, stronger organisation and greater sustainability, while reminding workers of the importance of job stability and industry attractiveness."

The union also urged the authorities to promote safety management not just regarding the handling of incidents, but also at the planning and design stages of projects, with responsibilities shared among property owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors and other stakeholders.



Edited by Edmond Fong