[HKFTU Statement] HKFTU Responds to the HKSAR Government’s Independent Committee Report on the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Fire
Release Date: 2026-10-30
Reproduced by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Professionals Association
The HKSAR Government yesterday (29 October) publicly released the Independent Committee’s report and announced the related accountability arrangements and reform measures. This demonstrates that the HKSAR Government is exercising accountability appropriately and properly, has the courage to reform and take responsibility, and is committed to a governing philosophy that cares about people’s livelihood.
Following the serious fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last year, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU) expresses deep sorrow over the victims and extends its heartfelt condolences to the affected families. After the incident, the HKSAR Government immediately made every effort to take forward various aftermath and resettlement arrangements and established an Independent Committee to conduct a thorough investigation, fully demonstrating its accountability.
The Independent Committee held 30 hearings, summoned 80 witnesses, and collected and reviewed more than one million documents and records. It clarified the cause of the fire and the related responsibilities, and also exposed deep-seated problems such as loopholes in the supervision of building maintenance and unclear departmental regulatory authority. The HKFTU considers the report to be objective and comprehensive and fact-based, providing an important reference basis for the Government to pursue accountability, review the building maintenance regime, and advance reforms in future.
On the basis of the report’s recommendations, the Government has also introduced comprehensive reforms and established a steering committee led by the Chief Secretary for Administration to examine the Independent Committee’s recommendations one by one, take forward implementation work, and monitor the implementation of the measures.
The HKFTU supports the HKSAR Government in implementing reform of the building maintenance regulatory system, closing institutional gaps in areas such as operating procedures, the regulatory architecture, and complaint mechanisms, and shifting from post-incident relief to prevention at source. Through reform, safety loopholes should be plugged, and high-level security should safeguard Hong Kong’s transition from order to prosperity and its high-quality development.
After the fire, all sectors of society came together in mutual assistance, with volunteers, enterprises, and members of the public working in unison to support the aftermath. Over the past year, the HKFTU has also kept the residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po close to heart, actively followed up on the post-fire situation, and assisted affected residents in handling aftermath and resettlement matters. To further support residents in rebuilding their lives, the HKFTU has recently launched the “Wang Fuk Caring and Warmth Payment Scheme” to extend care to the fire victims.
In future, the HKFTU will continue to monitor and assist the Government, work together with it, and continue to follow up on livelihood issues such as building safety, construction site supervision, and old building maintenance. It will reflect the views of grassroots residents and property owners, promote the implementation of various reform measures, safeguard residents’ lives and safety, and unite social efforts to build a better Hong Kong.
The HKSAR Government yesterday (29 October) publicly released the Independent Committee’s report and announced the related accountability arrangements and reform measures. This demonstrates that the HKSAR Government is exercising accountability appropriately and properly, has the courage to reform and take responsibility, and is committed to a governing philosophy that cares about people’s livelihood.
Following the serious fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last year, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU) expresses deep sorrow over the victims and extends its heartfelt condolences to the affected families. After the incident, the HKSAR Government immediately made every effort to take forward various aftermath and resettlement arrangements and established an Independent Committee to conduct a thorough investigation, fully demonstrating its accountability.
The Independent Committee held 30 hearings, summoned 80 witnesses, and collected and reviewed more than one million documents and records. It clarified the cause of the fire and the related responsibilities, and also exposed deep-seated problems such as loopholes in the supervision of building maintenance and unclear departmental regulatory authority. The HKFTU considers the report to be objective and comprehensive and fact-based, providing an important reference basis for the Government to pursue accountability, review the building maintenance regime, and advance reforms in future.
On the basis of the report’s recommendations, the Government has also introduced comprehensive reforms and established a steering committee led by the Chief Secretary for Administration to examine the Independent Committee’s recommendations one by one, take forward implementation work, and monitor the implementation of the measures.
The HKFTU supports the HKSAR Government in implementing reform of the building maintenance regulatory system, closing institutional gaps in areas such as operating procedures, the regulatory architecture, and complaint mechanisms, and shifting from post-incident relief to prevention at source. Through reform, safety loopholes should be plugged, and high-level security should safeguard Hong Kong’s transition from order to prosperity and its high-quality development.
After the fire, all sectors of society came together in mutual assistance, with volunteers, enterprises, and members of the public working in unison to support the aftermath. Over the past year, the HKFTU has also kept the residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po close to heart, actively followed up on the post-fire situation, and assisted affected residents in handling aftermath and resettlement matters. To further support residents in rebuilding their lives, the HKFTU has recently launched the “Wang Fuk Caring and Warmth Payment Scheme” to extend care to the fire victims.
In future, the HKFTU will continue to monitor and assist the Government, work together with it, and continue to follow up on livelihood issues such as building safety, construction site supervision, and old building maintenance. It will reflect the views of grassroots residents and property owners, promote the implementation of various reform measures, safeguard residents’ lives and safety, and unite social efforts to build a better Hong Kong.