Residents of a Happy Valley complex pooled together around HK$840,000 (US$108,000) for the family of a construction worker who died after scaffolding on the building’s exterior collapsed during a typhoon last month.
Chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV) Siu Sin-man told Stand News that the woman’s family members are not struggling financially, but are still grieving over the tragedy.
The 55-year-old construction worker was outside the Beverly Hill residences on Broadwood Road Oct. 8 when a wall of bamboo scaffolding and netting collapsed shortly after 10 am. The number three typhoon signal and yellow rainstorm warning were hoisted at the time.
Strong winds and rain hampered rescue efforts as firefighters combed through the debris. The woman’s body was found at around 1:20 pm, and she was certified dead at Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai.
The fundraiser was organized by the Beverly Hill’s residents’ association. The chairperson of the association said that 325 residents and property management staff contributed donations, which were then given to the victim’s family through ARIAV.
According to reports, the woman leaves behind her adult-age son and daughter.
The Labor Department has ordered CR Constructions, the contractor she worked with, to halt all of its construction projects until it proves that the rightful safety measures have been implemented. It has yet to resume work.
Siu told Stand News that the employer has compensated the victim’s family. According to the Labor Department’s Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, employers are responsible for funeral and other expenses in the event of an employee dying in a work-related accident.
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