A subcontractor of the Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2 expansion works was charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption for allegedly collecting over HK$1 million in bribes from imported workers.
The defendant, Chan Sin-tai, 62, director and shareholder of Full Spirit Marble Factory Limited (Full Spirit), allegedly conspired with an imported team leader between January and October 2024 to accept bribes from 21 imported workers to help them maintain their employment with Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon).
Gammon was the main contractor for the airport Terminal 2 expansion and sought importation quotas from the Development Bureau for its subcontractors due to a labor shortage. It offered a daily wage of HK$1,350 for the imported workers.
While the ICAC revealed that Chan had allegedly informed the workers through the team leader that their actual daily wages were between HK$780 and HK$1,150, requesting them to return the wage difference to Full Spirit, totaling over HK$1 million.
Chan faces one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages and was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
In a separate case, the ICAC also charged Wang Zhenzhong, 36, an imported team leader employed by Gammon at the material time, with conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages.
Wang, responsible for leading eight imported workers at the Terminal 2 expansion project, allegedly conspired with a middleman between April and October 2024 to accept bribes from the workers to assist them in continuing their employment with Gammon.
The ICAC investigation revealed he collected over HK$35,000 in bribes from one worker.
Wang is scheduled to appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday for a plea.
The ICAC noted in its statement that the workers involved in both cases endured exploitation for fear of job loss.
It vows to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, planning to arrange corruption prevention talks within eight weeks of their arrival, and will continue to spread anti-corruption messages through various channels.
The corruption watchdog emphasized its zero tolerance for corruption and will continue to work with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes.
Cheng Wong
