Panel calls for watchdog on airport labour
An independent committee should scrutinise the importation of manpower for airport projects, legislators recommended as they revealed the results of a five-month inquiry into the sacking of mainland workers.
The workers, who had paid agencies to secure their jobs, were laid off when they went on strike after finding out their pay was being deducted irregularly.
Legco's manpower panel suggested the independent body should comprise representatives from employers, employees and officials.
Chairman Lau Chin-shek said inclusion of employees could add 'checks and balances' to the vetting.
The six-chapter report noted the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office had a duty to ensure that the projects were completed on schedule and within budget.
However, the report said, it was given the responsibility to advise the Secretary for Education and Manpower on justification of applications.
The Office 'not only holds little information to provide any meaningful advice but actually has a 'vested interest' in the subject', it said.
Mr Lau added: 'By importing foreign workers, they only aimed to speed up the process of work.
The principle of 'giving priority to local workers on job offers' was therefore forsaken.' The report also criticised the Government for over-estimating the quotas needed and failing to make adjustments when the unemployment rate was high.
Government efforts on monitoring were also attacked.
Panel member and unionist Lee Cheuk-yan said: 'The Government only acted like [the god] Wong Tai Sin, responding to every plea.
'But its attitude allowed abuse of the system to become an open practice among constructors.' The legislators suggested the committee should advise the Government on the importation of workers.
From the 17 sessions of hearings, the panel also revealed employers 'over-relied' on middlemen who imposed exorbitant charges on workers who were also willing to accept lower wages.
In response, Secretary for Education and Manpower Joseph Wong Wing-ping said improvements had already been initiated.
