Many industries in Hong Kong have been affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic, and the construction industry is no exception. The Government has announced the establishment of the Anti-epidemic Fund to enhance the city’s capability in combating the epidemic and to provide assistance to sectors or industries and their employees who are hard hit by the epidemic. The Fund has set aside $710 million to support the construction industry by providing it with extra resources to enhance anti-epidemic measures in construction sites and offices, and to enhance personal protective measures among workers. The subsidy will be disbursed through the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the application process will be made as simple as possible, to ensure fast and accurate disbursement to enterprises and in-service construction workers.

Construction industry hit by the epidemic

Talking about the impact of the epidemic on the construction industry, the CIC　Chairman, Mr CHAN Ka-kui, says that since many construction raw materials and components are produced on the Mainland while some Mainland enterprises were temporarily closed and some roads remained closed due to the epidemic, the transportation and supply of construction materials have been affected after the Chinese New Year. As a result, some construction sites have to limit or temporarily suspend their operation. There are also construction sites that cannot resume full operation because comprehensive anti-epidemic measures cannot be put in place. According to Mr CHAN, frontline workers are the hardest hit as many of them are paid on a daily basis. Without work, they now face a situation of no income.

$710M to help the construction industry combat the epidemic

We understand the needs of the construction industry and have specially set aside $710 million from the Anti-epidemic Fund for the industry to combat the epidemic more effectively. Our measures include a one-off subsidy of $50,000 that will be given to each of the 7 000 eligible contractors, sub-contractors and consultants to help them strengthen their hygienic and preventive measures, such as increasing the frequency of cleaning the construction sites and offices, measuring body temperature of employees and procuring additional antiseptic equipment. Meanwhile, nearly 240 000 in-service construction workers can also directly benefit from a subsidy of $1,500 each for purchasing personal protective or antiseptic equipment against viral infection and transmission on the construction sites.

Fast and easy applications for speedy disbursement

We know that the industry and workers are eager for the funding relief. Here, I would like to express my thanks to the CIC for helping us handle applications and disburse subsidies. As the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council endorsed the funding application for the Anti-epidemic Fund last Friday, the CIC will start inviting applications from eligible establishments and construction workers this week. In order to provide timely support for enterprises and workers, application procedures will be made as simple as possible, so that subsidies can be disbursed to applicants in about two to three weeks after their applications are received.

Strengthening protective measures on construction sites

Construction sites have a labour-intensive environment, and different tiers of employees in the project team need to come into close contact and work together frequently. In view of the epidemic, the Development Bureau and the CIC have reminded the industry to strengthen the protective measures on construction sites to minimise workers’ risk of infection. These measures include keeping the sites clean, maintaining a good environment and personal hygiene, measuring body temperature of employees or workers before they enter and leave the sites, and offering personal protective equipment such as masks, hand sanitisers and bleach to employees. When having respiratory symptoms such as fever or cough, employees should wear a surgical mask, refrain from work and seek medical advice promptly.

Reasonable extension of time with reference to contract terms

As local projects have been affected by the tight supply of construction materials from the Mainland, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr LAM Sai-hung, says that the Government understands the situation and has reminded works departments to proactively review with contractors to see whether it is possible to rearrange some of the work procedures to minimise the impact. If there are delays in the progress of public works projects due to the epidemic, the works departments will allow a reasonable extension of time in accordance with contract terms. The Government will closely monitor the impact on the construction industry as the epidemic develops, and will maintain close liaison with the CIC and the construction industry. We will implement appropriate measures to support the industry as and when necessary.

Construction Industry Caring Campaign – Fight against Novel Coronavirus

To ride out the crisis together with the workers, the Chairman, Mr CHAN Ka-kui, says that the CIC has joined hands with the industry to introduce the Construction Industry Caring Campaign – Fight against Novel Coronavirus (please see the photo for details) to offer monetary assistance and caring support for workers affected by the epidemic. The assistance and support include the purchase and delivery of necessities for workers, distribution of “Caring Packs”, and referrals to professional services. Since the launch of the campaign by the CIC on 17 February, more than 600 applications or enquiries have been received.

I really appreciate the efforts made by the CIC and the industry to unite and stand together in this critical time to offer assistance to our workers in need. I hope the subsidies under the Anti-epidemic Fund can be disbursed as soon as possible to provide relief for the construction industry, so as to enhance the industry’s capability in combating the epidemic. Let’s all do our parts, unite and fight the disease.