Labour Groups Urge Speed On Occupational Safety Bill

Labour representatives on Sunday called for the prompt passage of a job safety bill that significantly raises the maximum penalty for serious violations.

Right now, the maximum penalty is HK$500,000 and 12 months in jail, but the government proposes to raise them to HK$10 million and two years in prison.

Unionist lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung said recent fatal industrial accidents have raised public awareness about the issue, particularly in construction.

He expressed confidence that the Legislative Council can pass the bill before the end of the year, but also said there needed to be stronger promotion of occupational safety among workers in order to change the culture in construction and other hazardous industries.

Siu Sin-man, the chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, said despite the government lowering the proposed maximum fine from HK$50 million to HK$10 million, her association still wants the bill passed as soon as possible.

That's because the amended law would serve as stronger deterrent to firms than the existing ordinance, she told RTHK.

"For example, the main contractors or sub-contractors, when they violate the law, the penalty right now is totally not enough."

"In some recent cases, they are fined HK$40,000 to HK$50,000. This cannot reflect the seriousness of the accidents," she said.

Siu has been helping the widow of a man who was among three people killed when a construction crane came crashing down at a building site on Anderson Road earlier this month.

She said the woman, who has late stage cancer, has been resting well recently, and had refused people's kind offers for treatment options and other assistance for now.