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The Social Welfare Department (SWD) submitted to the Secretary for Labour and Welfare today the report on the fatal incident in which a metal gate at the Hang Ngai Manufacturing and Hostel (Hang Ngai) in Hung Hom collapsed on May 5, a spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said today (May 18).
The report gives a detailed account of the background and development of the incident, and should help establish the facts with a view to preventing similar incidents from happening in future.
The spokesman said, "As Police investigation is underway and the findings of the investigation will be presented to the Coroner's Court for follow-up, it would be inappropriate for the Bureau to comment on the incident at this stage.
"We will continue to take care of the welfare needs of the bereaved family."
After the incident, SWD has immediately offered the necessary assistance to the family, including emotional counselling, meal service and homework guidance for the younger children, etc.
Apart from emergency cash grants, SWD has collected donations from philanthropists and charities for the family to cover their living and educational expenses in the interim. This includes an ex-gratia payment of $130,000 from Po Leung Kuk, the employer of the deceased worker. SWD will take care of the funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, SWD has requested all units and non-governmental organisations to arrange immediate and thorough check on all fixtures of workplace, including iron gates and other fixtures and to alert the Architectural Services Department or other units concerned for follow-up action should the situation warrant.
A letter has also been sent to the housing estate, in which Hang Ngai is located, to call for the examination of the installation of all similar gates to ensure their safety.
After the incident, SWD gave full support to the sheltered workers and staff of Hang Ngai to ensure its normal operation. A new gate has been installed.
Ends/Monday, May 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:52
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