Integrity Focus
Recent ICAC Cases
Jul 2023Two former team leaders of park construction project charged by ICAC with bribery over worker employment
The ICAC today (July 10) charged two then team leaders of a sub-contractor of a park construction project with accepting bribes totalling over $64,000 from four workers for securing the latter’s employment with the sub-contractor.
Kwong Chi-kit, 38; and Chan Wai-kwok, 35, both former team leaders of HK Huangshangyou Steel Industrial Limited (HSY), jointly face two counts of conspiracy for agents to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Chan alone further faces two similar offences.
The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (July 12) for plea.
At the material time, HSY was a steel and metal works sub-contractor of a park construction project in Kai Tak. Kwong and Chan joined HSY in March 2021. Kwong was tasked to source workers for HSY to work for the project under the supervision of Chan at a daily wage of $1,400.
The two charges against the duo allege that between April and July 2021, Kwong and Chan conspired together to accept bribes totalling over $31,000 from two workers for assisting them to secure their employment from or maintain their employment with HSY. The remaining two charges allege that between April and August 2021, Chan conspired with Kwong to accept bribes totalling over $32,000 from two other workers for assisting them to secure their employment from or maintain their employment with HSY.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the duo allegedly conspired to solicit a daily rebate ranging from $300 to $500 from the four workers, and accepted bribes ranging from $10,000 to over $21,000 from each worker.
HSY has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
In recent years, the ICAC has taken a series of enforcement actions against solicitation and acceptance of illegal rebates from construction workers and launched a series of relevant publicity and education programmes. An ICAC spokesperson urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.