Rising labour costs increased attributable losses at construction company Shun Shing during the six months to February.

The subsidiary of shipping giant Cosco Group reported an attributable loss of $16.77 million, up 71.47 per cent from losses of $9.78 million in 1996.

Turnover fell to $327.31 million from $499.21 million. No interim dividend was declared, but the directors proposed one bonus share for every five existing shares held.