CONTRACTORS embroiled in a contract conditions row with the Provisional Airport Authority (PAA) are being encouraged to break ranks and end their boycott of airport construction work.
Today 26 firms shortlisted for four advance works contracts will receive a letter from the PAA giving its detailed response to three days of talks with the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA).
They will also be told the PAA has accepted a proposal by the HKCA to further delay the return tenders for the four contracts until April 27. They were supposed to be back tomorrow.
The discussions ended in disarray yesterday after the two sides failed to agree on a mechanism to resolve construction disputes even though there were tentative agreements on four other important conditions.
These cover the powers of PAA project managers, extra work caused by design changes and ground settlement and limits on the amount of damages that would be payable for sloppy workmanship.
The HKCA said proper dispute resolution measures are central to solving the row.