The Labour Department secured 40 convicted summonses in the first quarter, up 38% on the same period last year.

The department is concerned about arrears of wages in the construction industry and has adopted a multi-pronged approach to tackle the problem through promotion, early warning, conciliation and prosecution, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung said.

Addressing a dinner hosted by the Construction Industry Employees General Union to celebrate Lu Pan Patron's Day today, Mr Cheung said the department will step up prosecution to clamp down on offending employers. He said the courts have also imposed heavier penalties against wage offences.

Mr Cheung said wage offenders face a $200,000 fine and a year's jail.

"In light of growing public concern about arrears of wages, the Economic Development & Labour Bureau and the Labour Department are studying the need to raise the penalty to achieve a greater deterrent effect," he said.