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Migrant workers will be back on Hong Kong site after authorities intervene in pay dispute

Workers had staged protest and complained management company had charged them exorbitant intermediary fees and other costs

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The workers had staged a protest on Monday. Photo:  Facebook/ 香港建造業總工會

A group of about 50 migrant workers embroiled in a pay dispute with a middleman will be back on site on Thursday at a public hospital project in Hong Kong after authorities intervened.

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The case unfolded on Monday when about 30 plasterers from mainland China protested outside the construction site at United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, saying their management company in Shenzhen had charged exorbitant intermediary fees and other costs.

They were allegedly later fired by the mainland company, which was also accused of docking their wages.

The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union said the firm had demanded the workers each fork out HK$6,000 (US$770) from their wages, which were about HK$30,000 per person including overtime pay, to secure jobs in the city in the future.

The employees refused and were then sacked.

More than 30 workers joined the protest. Photo: Facebook/ 香港建造業總工會
More than 30 workers joined the protest. Photo: Facebook/ 香港建造業總工會

The union said on Wednesday the workers had their original contracts reinstated without the need to sign new ones, and they would resume work on Thursday.

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