The Labour Department says it attaches great importance to wage offences in the construction industry, adding it secured 153 convicted wage summonses in the trade from January to August.

In 2006, the department secured 261 convicted wage summonses in the industry, up 85% on the previous year. The court has also imposed heavier penalties on wage offences.

The department has stepped up inspections to construction sites to enforce the wage provisions under the Employment Ordinance. Labour inspectors have inspected 108 construction sites in the first eight months of 2007, compared with 101 in 2006.

The Labour Relations Division is in contact with main contractors of construction sites to monitor their wage payment to employees. The department is also in close liaison with the Housing Department and other works departments to see if any employees are owed wages.