Lawmaker calls for measures to tackle construction sector unemployment

Lawmaker Leong Pou U has called on the government, in a written interpellation, to implement measures aimed at improving employment conditions in the construction sector.

According to the latest employment survey conducted by the Statistics and Census Service for the July–September period, both the overall unemployment rate and the rate among local residents fell by 0.2 percentage points from the previous period, reaching 1.8% and 2.4%, respectively.

“With a large number of new graduates entering the labor market, employment conditions have continued to improve, and the unemployment rate has declined, reflecting the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to promote local employment,” Leong said in his inquiry earlier this month.

However, the survey also revealed that among unemployed residents, those who previously worked in the construction and retail sectors represent the largest share. Among underemployed residents, construction, real estate, and business services are the most affected sectors.

“This reflects that employment conditions in the construction industry are of particular concern compared to other industries,” Leong noted.

He added that this year, the reduction of private and public construction projects has left many construction workers with insufficient workdays, while wages have remained stagnant for years, putting significant pressure on livelihoods.

Leong pointed out the government’s existing measures, including the establishment of the “Working Group for Employment Promotion,” which coordinates cross-departmental resources and develops policies to support local employment.

The government has also set guidelines for public works contracts, encouraging contractors to hire local residents.

“Since its establishment, the working group has continuously studied and collected information on job vacancies across industries, promoting employment through diversified matching measures,” he said.

In his statement, he asked whether the government will consider increasing the proportion of local residents hired in outsourced public projects to help construction workers achieve fuller employment.

Second, with the Policy Address to be delivered by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai tomorrow, he inquired whether the government plans to boost investment in public works and launch more projects to create additional job opportunities for construction workers.