Building inspectors go on strike over manpower shortage

Stage a 90 minute lunchtime protest to drive home point.

Hong Kong’s building inspectors are urging the Buildings Department to recruit more staff so as not to compromise building safety inspections. Inspectors have to complete their inspections in 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes because of the lack of manpower.

The Association of Government Technical and Survey Officers said some 250 persons participated in the rally next to the Buildings Department headquarters in Mong Kok. Association president Yung Chun-chiu said the unexpectedly large turnout will send a clear message to the department.

"We did this for all the Hong Kong people because building inspections affect public safety," Yung said.

The chairman of the association's Technical Working Group, Fung Kwan-kin, said negotiations with the department have been dragging on for years but the problem has not been solved.

"We chose to strike because we can't take it anymore," he said.

The Buildings Department said after the protest that it had conducted a comprehensive review in recent months and had applied for additional manpower.