Ho Ping-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union, revealed today (March 18) that the Development Bureau notified them yesterday (March 17) about a trial implementation of metal scaffolding in new public works tender projects. The plan is to gradually expand the use of metal scaffolding to 50% of projects, aiming to enhance site safety and reduce accidents.
He expressed that while they reluctantly accept this policy, they urge the authorities not to enforce it rigidly, as it may adversely affect the livelihoods of approximately 4,000 bamboo scaffolding workers. He noted that while about 10,000 individuals in Hong Kong have obtained qualifications for metal scaffolding, the actual number of workers engaged in this area is low because the market has not widely adopted metal scaffolding, and the wages for these workers are lower than those for bamboo scaffolding workers.
He further pointed out several limitations associated with the use of metal scaffolding, including higher costs (approximately two to three times that of bamboo scaffolding), the need for larger storage space, the issue of metal scaffolding becoming hot in summer, and difficulties in applying it to older building designs.
Additionally, He mentioned that authorities currently only allow the importation of metal scaffolding workers, and he is concerned that as more public works shift to metal scaffolding, this may lead to an influx of related workers into Hong Kong, further impacting job opportunities for local workers.
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