Today (1st) is Labor Day. According to statistics, there were 132 occupational death accidents in Hong Kong in the first half of last year. The average amount was $7,813, and the average fine for a conviction summons related to a fatal accident in the construction industry was just $20,974.
The Industrial Casualty Rights Association pointed out that according to the current law, employers who fail to purchase labor insurance for their employees are fined up to 100,000 yuan and imprisoned for 2 years. But in reality, employers are only fined tens of thousands of yuan. Ten Thousand Mosquitoes," urges the government not to report good news but not bad news, and only focus on the May Day celebrations, ignoring the lack of occupational safety revealed behind the death of a worker.
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25 fatal industrial accidents were recorded in the whole of last year, and the construction industry accounted for 23 cases
According to statistics from the Labour Department, from January 2020 to March this year, the Labour Department issued a total of 4,408 convicted occupational safety and health summonses, with a total fine of $34.44 million and an average fine of $7,813 per summons. and fatal accidents, from January 2020 to March this year, the number of conviction summonses related to fatal accidents in all industries was 296, and the average fine was $22,928. If the number of conviction summonses related to fatal accidents in the construction industry was narrowed to , the amount of each fine fell further to 20,974 yuan.
The Director-General of the Industrial Injury Rights Association, Siu Qianwen, analyzed that in the first half of last year alone, the Labour Department recorded 132 occupational death accidents, which were about the same as in previous years. Trade unions recorded and followed up 73 of these cases. Death cases accounted for 49 cases and sudden death cases accounted for 24 cases. Compared with the 25 fatal industrial accidents recorded by the Labour Department last year, the construction industry accounted for 23 cases. The difference between the two is that industrial accidents only cover the provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. Regulated industrial activity, which excludes fatalities in industries such as the self-employed, interior fitters, security guards or cleaners, was relatively lower.
She pointed out that among the occupational accident deaths recorded by the trade union, "construction industry, renovation and maintenance works" still accounted for a large proportion, with 31 cases in total. 40% of total accidental deaths.
Dog boom worker's fall accident revealed that the company involved did not buy labor insurance
Xiao also noticed that in the second half of last year, there were 4 fatal accidents commonly known as "flying sheds" during the installation of suspended scaffolding, which was more than one or two deaths per year on average. However, behind the loss of human life, there are often light sentences and fines. She mentioned that it happened on September 17 last year in Tuen Mun Hang Fook Garden, a 44-year-old worker who fell from a height while building a suspended scaffolding on the outer wall of the building. After the accident happened, it was later revealed that the contractor involved and the shedding engineering company did not purchase labor insurance for the deceased. The court was charged with violating the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance. They were fined 50,000 yuan and 56,000 yuan respectively, but compared to the maximum fine of 100,000 yuan or 2 years in prison, the deterrent was not enough. The money, coupled with the long-term low fines, does not mean that a human life is only worth tens of thousands of mosquitoes, and it has no deterrent effect on employers. The fines of tens of thousands of mosquitoes leaked out and become silver.” She pointed out that it is common in the industry not to buy labor insurance for shed workers. , If the fine is too high, the employer simply closes the company and restarts the business. "I can't open a new one. Has any company's employer been sentenced to prison? I haven't seen it in years."
The government has been refusing to legislate on 'karoshi'
In recent years, the Labour Department has studied to increase the penalties under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and their subsidiary regulations, including the proposal to increase the maximum amount of fines in the general liability provisions of the law for cases of violations involving fatal or serious injuries. , from 500,000 yuan to 50 million yuan, but after high-profile objections from the business community and the construction industry, the authorities will reduce the maximum fine from the original proposed 50 million yuan to 10 million to 20 million yuan, to be handed over to legislation. At the meeting, Xiao criticized that the government has been making minor amendments to the law, but refused to enact legislation on "death from overwork", which has prevented the advancement of the Labor Protection Act for many years.
The labor insurance for shed workers is very expensive. The first year one person costs hundreds of thousands. The boss is unwilling to pay the money. In addition, the fine is so low for a long time. One human life is only worth tens of thousands of mosquitoes. It has no deterrent power to the employer. Leaked out as broken silver.
Xiao Qianwen, Director General of the Labour Rights Association
Trade Union: The government reports good news but not bad news
Behind every cold number, there is a life on the back. Xiao Qianwen pointed out that since 1996, the Trade Union Association has launched a petition campaign every April 28, asking the government to follow the example of more than 20 countries, including Taiwan, Thailand, Canada and other legislation. This day is the International Work Injury Remembrance Day. It can also follow the example of Wanyi Reservoir and Ting Kau Airport in the early years of erecting monuments in public places to commemorate workers who died at work, expressing respect for the working class with practical actions, "We don't want a public It was a holiday, and it was an anniversary. The original intention was to mourn and respect, but the government ignored it and chose to follow the International Labour Organization to designate April 28 as the "World Work Safety and Health Day", and hold an awards ceremony and cocktail party to promote zero work-related injuries. Zero Accidents, do we oppose the awarding of zero-injury companies, but do we want to ask for an explanation or do we do it in other days? What is the difference between the government reporting the good news and not the bad news?” She urged the government to reflect on the entire labor policy and face it squarely. Only through constructive research can the next generation be trained to be alert to occupational casualties and safety, so as to drive social progress.
International Work Injury Remembrance Day | Groups on the rise in occupational injury cases urge the establishment of a special committee to handle claims for more than 60% of the grassroots respondents who are not eligible to apply for unemployment assistance Groups urge relaxation of application thresholds
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