Wong, J K W and Lin, A H Q (2014) Construction workplace discrimination: Experiences of ethnic minority operatives in Hong Kong construction sites. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(4), pp. 403-420. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - The construction industry has been criticized for cultural intolerance and its poor industrial image. The ethnically diverse construction workplace in Hong Kong (HK) is frequently noted as a place in which racial harassment and discrimination occurs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the discriminatory experiences and working conditions experienced by ethnic minority (EM) construction operatives in HK.; Design/methodology/approach - A mixed-method approach was adopted, including a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. The survey identified the thoughts of EM construction workers about racial discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The focus group discussions were aimed at further exploring the discriminatory practices on HK construction sites and possible discrimination-coping strategies.; Findings - Questionnaire data from 100 EM site operatives and labourers mainly from Nepal and Pakistan, but some few from other Asian countries as well as, plus two focus group discussions suggested that indirect and subtle forms of racial harassment do exist on HK construction sites. The operatives sampled reported the existence of inequality of treatment in their working life. Communication difficulties caused by language barriers affect work relationships between different cultural groups on construction sites. EM site operatives tend to interact with workers of similar cultural and ethnic groups. On the corporate/company level, language support and translations of safety procedures notices and policies, should be established to bring staff together and promote a more inclusive and harmonious workplace.; Originality/value - The paper offers insights into the racial discrimination problems in the construction sector in an Asian context, which has been less explored. It aims to provide insight into the EM construction worker's situation in HK as well as the need for developing workplace-specific policies that protect against discrimination and protect the rights of EM workers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction sites; ethnic minority; Hong Kong; raical discrimination |
| Index terms: | operative, construction industry, construction worker, working conditions, construction operative, Nepal, inequality, coping, ethnic group, notices, Hong Kong, site operative, discrimination, construction sector, questionnaire, methodology, ethnic minority, Pakistan, survey, construction site, strategy, racial discrimination, focus group |
| Subjects: | Geography, employment law, research methods, management, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, professional ethics, sociology, demography, practitioner, contractual role, data collection methods, work location |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Legal Issues, Urban Studies, Ethics, Site Management, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here