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Why Hong Kong needs working hours law

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Lawmaker James Tien Pei-chun. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Legislator James Tien Pei-chun, in RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, on January 20, urged our chief executive to look at "using imported labour specifically to build government public housing". As chairman of [developer] Manhattan Holdings, cynics in the community might ask if this proposal is to ensure that a large pool of experienced local workers is available to work on his company's projects for reduced wages?

Importation of labour is a sensitive issue as it is not only a matter of competition for jobs but also for affordable housing. Where would these imported workers live? Certainly not in a Manhattan development.

Any project requiring a large-scale infusion of manual workers would have to provide dormitory accommodation in order to avoid further pressure on low-cost housing in an already saturated market. So wily developers will push for public-funded projects to shoulder the additional costs.

Mr Tien then mentioned that a pressing concern of small and medium-sized enterprises, high rents, was not mentioned in the policy address.

As a property developer himself, how come Mr Tien has not called on his fellow tycoons to restrain their penchant for ever- increasing rental returns?

He also expressed concern about the shortage of shops and office premises. What about the vast land banks in the hands of the large developers?

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