“Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill”

[The Construction Industry Council Supports Government’s Proposal to Improve Payment Practice in the Construction Industry]

The Development Bureau today consulted the Legislative Council’s Panel on Development on the “Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill”, with the aim of improving payment practice in the construction industry through legislative means. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) supports the government’s legislative proposal.

Stakeholders in the construction industry supply chain often face problems of delayed payment. As construction projects frequently involve large cash flow, including material procurement, wage payments, and other expenses, small and medium enterprises have to bear the burden of payment delays and are vulnerable to credit risks. More importantly, delayed payments often lead to wage defaults, affecting the livelihoods of construction workers. The “Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill” will address payment issues in the construction industry and is crucial for the long-term development of the sector.

The CIC has been actively involved in the legislative process of the “Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill”, ensuring that the legislation caters to the needs of all stakeholders in the construction industry and brings maximum benefits to the industry in practical operation. The CIC will continue to communicate and collaborate with the government to promote the legislative work.

The CIC forecasts that the construction expenditure in Hong Kong will exceed HK$300 billion per annum in the coming years. It is vital to secure a stable cash flow for all stakeholders in the construction industry to cope with the increasing construction volume. CIC urges the industry to unite and support the upcoming legislative work of the government.

[建造業議會支持政府立法改善建造業付款情況]

發展局今日就《建造業付款保障條例》草案諮詢立法會發展事務委員會，目的是透過立法方式改善建造業的付款問題。建造業議會（議會）支持政府的立法建議。

建造業供應鏈上的各持份者不時面對被「拖數」情況，建造工程經常涉及到大量的資金流動，包括材料購買、工資支付和其他費用，中小企需要負擔付款延遲或債務風險。情況嚴重更往往會由「拖數」變成「拖糧」，影響建造工人的生計。《建造業付款保障條例》有助改善建造業供應鏈的付款問題，對行業長遠健康發展至關重要。議會一直積極參與《建造業付款保障條例》的立例工作，讓條例照顧建造業各持份者的需求，並能在實際運作中為整體業界帶來最大的益處。議會將與政府保持溝通，一起推動立法工作。

議會預測未來數年香港總工程量將增至每年超過3,000億港元。為應付將來龐大的工程量，保障建造業各持份者穩健的現金流非常重要。議會呼籲業界齊心協力，共同支持政府即將展開的立法工作。