Integrity Focus

The ICAC today (September 9) charged a team leader of carpenters of the Three-Runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport with allegedly accepting bribes totalling about $54,000 from 10 imported workers for assisting them over their continuous employment.

Chen Xianliang, 62, team leader of carpenters and also an imported worker employed by Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon), faces 10 counts of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (September 11) for plea.

In 2020, Gammon was awarded by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) the contract of the automated people mover and baggage handling system project of the 3RS Project. The defendant was an imported worker employed by Gammon, the main contractor of the aforesaid project, through the Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector. He was responsible for leading a team of imported workers to perform carpentry works at the construction site, under the supervision of a subcontractor of Gammon.

It is alleged that on various occasions in January 2024, the defendant accepted a bribe of $4,800 to $5,400 from each of the 10 carpenters under his supervision, totalling about $54,000, for assisting the 10 workers to be continually employed by Gammon.

The ICAC investigation arose from corruption complaints in relation to alleged wage exploitation involving imported workers. Investigation revealed that the 10 workers concerned were referred by the defendant to work in Hong Kong. In late December 2023, they arrived in Hong Kong from the Mainland to work for the aforesaid project at a monthly salary of over $37,000. Upon their arrival in Hong Kong, the defendant allegedly solicited the aforesaid bribes from the 10 workers.

Gammon prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting any advantages from others for matters in relation to the affairs or business of the company.

The Development Bureau and Gammon have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The ICAC urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. To enhance imported workers' understanding of Hong Kong's anti-corruption laws, the ICAC has arranged corruption prevention talks for imported workers within eight weeks of their arrival. Additionally, the ICAC will also make use of other channels to sustain the anti-graft education to imported workers.