Pro-democracy lawmakers have urged the government to build a monument for workers who died building the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
The bridge will start operating next Wednesday following a ceremony the day before. Chinese President Xi Jinping will reportedly attend the ceremony as part of a trip around southern China.
Including those who lost their lives building the Hong Kong and the mainland sections of the project, 19 workers died building the bridge.
Civic Party lawmaker Jeremy Tam and independent lawmaker Eddie Chu both said a monument should be set up for them.
“There are several meanings for doing this: It is for their families, so that they know our society remembers them and acknowledges them for their contribution,” Tam said at a memorial ceremony near the bridge. “They can bring their children to the monument and tell them: your parents lost their lives here for this mega project.”
“It can also let the public know that every single project has risk – it acts as a warning sign for workers to prevent injuries,” he added. “It can remind construction companies that they should feel ashamed when lives were lost in these construction projects.”
Chu asked Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan at the legislature’s Panel on Transport on Friday if a monument can be set up, but Chan did not directly answer the question.
“Do you not want to answer the question?” Chu asked. Chan then carried on answering other parts of Chu’s question.
Pro-Beijing lawmaker Ben Chan – who chaired the panel – stopped the discussion when Chu asked about the monument again.
