Subcontractor of airport expansion works charged by ICAC with $1m bribery over exploitation of workers
2025-4-22
Following thorough inquiries into corruption complaints alleging corruption and exploitation involving importer workers, the ICAC today (April 22) brought charges to a subcontractor of the Terminal 2 expansion works of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for allegedly collecting bribes totalling over $1 million from 21 imported workers in relation to their employment.
Chan Sin-tai, 62, director cum shareholder of Full Spirit Marble Factory Limited (Full Spirit); faces one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for mention.
At the material time, Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon) was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The daily wage of the imported workers was $1,350. Based on 22 working days per month, Gammon would release a monthly salary of $29,700 to the workers.
Full Spirit was one of the subcontractors of Gammon, which was also involved in the recruitment of workers in the Mainland. Gammon prohibited its employees or agents, including Full Spirit, from soliciting or accepting any advantages from others in relation to its business and affairs.
It is alleged that between January and October 2024, Chan conspired together with an imported team leader to accept bribes from 21 imported workers for assisting the latter to secure and continue their employments with Gammon.
ICAC enquiries revealed that Chan had allegedly informed the imported workers through the team leader that their actual daily wages were between $780 and $1,150 and requested them to return the difference between the daily wage according to the contract and the actual daily wage to Full Spirit, totalling over $1 million.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, another imported team leader was charged by the ICAC today with conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages. The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for plea.
Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was employed by Gammon at the material time responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project. It is alleged that between April and October 2024, Wang conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers to assist the latter to continue their employment with Gammon. ICAC investigation revealed that Wang had collected bribes totalling over $35,000 from one of the imported workers.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the workers concerned in the two cases endured the exploitation for fear of losing their jobs.
An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.
The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.
Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.
Chan Sin-tai, 62, director cum shareholder of Full Spirit Marble Factory Limited (Full Spirit); faces one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for mention.
At the material time, Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon) was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The daily wage of the imported workers was $1,350. Based on 22 working days per month, Gammon would release a monthly salary of $29,700 to the workers.
Full Spirit was one of the subcontractors of Gammon, which was also involved in the recruitment of workers in the Mainland. Gammon prohibited its employees or agents, including Full Spirit, from soliciting or accepting any advantages from others in relation to its business and affairs.
It is alleged that between January and October 2024, Chan conspired together with an imported team leader to accept bribes from 21 imported workers for assisting the latter to secure and continue their employments with Gammon.
ICAC enquiries revealed that Chan had allegedly informed the imported workers through the team leader that their actual daily wages were between $780 and $1,150 and requested them to return the difference between the daily wage according to the contract and the actual daily wage to Full Spirit, totalling over $1 million.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, another imported team leader was charged by the ICAC today with conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages. The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for plea.
Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was employed by Gammon at the material time responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project. It is alleged that between April and October 2024, Wang conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers to assist the latter to continue their employment with Gammon. ICAC investigation revealed that Wang had collected bribes totalling over $35,000 from one of the imported workers.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the workers concerned in the two cases endured the exploitation for fear of losing their jobs.
An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.
The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.
Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.