The Ombudsman is considering launching an investigation into the government for failing to monitor the financial problems of the controversial Wing Fai Construction Co.
Democratic Party legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip yesterday led 10 subcontractors to lodge complaints with the Ombudsman against the Works Bureau and Drainage Services Department over $70 million Wing Fai allegedly owes subcontractors for two government drainage projects.
Mr Chan said after the meeting that the Ombudsman's Office had agreed to look into the matter, although an office spokesman would not comment yesterday, citing privacy grounds.
The row with Wing Fai marked the first of a series in the past two weeks where tight finances have forced many contractors to delay payments to subcontractors and workers.
Last Tuesday, about 50 subcontractors stormed Wing Fai's former parent company, China Rich Holdings Ltd, demanding payment of $70 million they said they were owed in wages and fees.
'Wing Fai is a listed contractor with the government, but for more than 18 months while it apparently ran into financial problems, the government sat and did nothing at all,' Mr Chan said.
