Construction workers protested outside Jack Ma’s mansion at The Peak Wednesday, complaining that their contractor owed them six months’ worth of salary and that they have no income to celebrate Chinese New Year.
About 20 workers hung banners opposite the construction site, where the Alibaba CEO’s billion-dollar mansion is nearing completion, reading “despicable, dishonest business, return me my hard-earned money,” according to Stand News.
Following a protest last Tuesday, workers said the construction company, Paul Y. Engineering, promised during a meeting that it would pay the owed wages once the documents from subcontractors are received.
The paperwork has been handed over, workers said, but their salaries are still outstanding.
According to media reports, Ma bought the 22 Barker Road property for HK$1.5 billion (US$193 million) in 2015. The 9,890-square-feet home, which overlooks Victoria Harbor, is believed to be the world’s second-most expensive in terms of square footage.
Ma bought the multi-story house from Francis Yuen, former CEO of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and his wife Rose Lee, CEO of Hang Seng Bank. Prior to that, the luxury property was the residence of the Belgian consul general.
Reader Interactions