Ways to Prevent and Handle Wage Arrears Problem of Construction Workers

30/1/2007

By Stephen Lee

Reported by Joanna Kwok
Committee Member, YSG

Wage arrears problem are commonplace in the construction industry. This is always a concern by the practitioners in the industry, especially the quantity surveyors of main contractors, to find ways to prevent and handle the problem. On 30th January 2007, the Young Surveyors Group (YSG) had invited Mr. Stephen Lee, Divisional Commercial Manager of Gammon Construction Limited, Head of Commercial Department of Building Division, to share with our members his experience in such aspect.

Stephen first quoted the Employment Ordinance regarding the wages of subcontractor’s employees. Then, he discussed the recently added Special Conditions of the Government General Conditions of Contract, which include measures to protect the interests of construction workers and prevent non-payment of wages by contractors. Stephen went on to talk about the ways that a main contractor can do to prevent wage arrears problem by his subcontractors’ employees, and also the techniques to handle such problem.

We would like to take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to Stephen for giving such a practical and interesting sharing with our members. All participants were satisfied after the seminar.