Face Off: Is the Hong Kong government doing enough for outdoor workers?
- Each week, two of our readers debate a hot topic in a showdown that does not necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints
- This week, they discuss whether the city sufficiently supports its construction workers and cleaners
Workers at a construction site in Cheung Sha Wan. The Labour Department recently announced the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work and Heat Stress, reminding employers to take appropriate measures to prevent heat stroke in hot weather. Photo: Jelly TseIf you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Serene Chan, 17, Leweston School (UK)
Outdoor workers, from construction workers to cleaners and street vendors, are vital in keeping Hong Kong running smoothly. However, controversy persists over whether the government is doing enough to protect and support them. Upon closer look, it is crystal clear that the government has taken astounding strides towards guaranteeing the safety of outdoor workers.
The safety of outdoor employees is one of the city’s top priorities, and it has enacted stringent regulations to ensure their security. For example, the government’s occupational safety and health regulations require employers to provide an appropriate working environment and conduct regular safety audits to ensure they are protecting their workers.
What’s behind Hong Kong’s new warning system to reduce risk of heatstroke among outdoor workers?
Recently, Hong Kong introduced the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stress At Work, a three-tier warning system designed to alert employers of hot weather and how often staff should rest. These new guidelines reduce the risk of heatstroke and bolster the general health of outdoor labourers.
Hong Kong’s subtropical climate means those who work outdoors are more susceptible to heat-related ailments, so the warning system suggests strategies to mitigate heat stress. These involve limiting ones’ time in the sun, installing shade covers and rescheduling work periods.
While the guidelines aren’t mandatory, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han has reassured workers that they can take legal action if their company doesn’t follow them, saying, “It is not a regulation, but it does not mean there are no legal consequences. We will conduct inspections and issue advice or warnings if employers are not doing enough.”
Safety audits are one way the government shows its concern about workers. In September 2022, the Office of the Ombudsman, a government watchdog, announced an investigation into how authorities regulate occupational health and safety in the construction industry after 10 fatal accidents involving 13 deaths from January to September last year. Measures like this prove the government won’t hesitate to take action and investigate potential hazards for workers to ensure their safety.
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Against: Valerie Shek, 12, ISF Academy
Hong Kong’s heat has driven many of us indoors to seek refuge in the air conditioning. Still, not everyone can escape these sweltering temperatures: those who work outdoors continue to toil in these oppressive conditions, running the risk of heatstroke.
Although the Hong Kong government has implemented a new three-tier hot weather warning system, it is merely a series of non-binding guidelines and companies are not legally required to follow them. Without legislation, it begs the question: how effective can these measures really be?
Workers need to be made aware of the system, what it means and their entitled rest periods.
Some outdoor workers were confused when the government issued its first alerts under the new guidelines last month, saying they were unaware at the time and hadn’t received notice or clear instructions from their supervisors.
Without legislation and enforcement mechanisms in place, employers won’t be motivated to follow the guidelines. It is only when companies recognise their legal responsibility that they will they prioritise worker safety and take action to prevent heat-related illness and injury.
Public awareness campaigns are also needed to educate people about the guidelines and their rights. Workers are often hesitant to take breaks for fear of being reprimanded by their employers, and it can be difficult to find suitable places to rest. In fact, research from Oxfam found that the rest areas in the city’s refuse collection points can even be hotter than the temperature outdoors.
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The government should consider offering subsidies so companies can hire more employees, allowing workers to take sufficient breaks, and conducting checks to ensure companies follow the guidelines. It could also consider making it mandatory for companies to follow the heat stress guidelines, rather than hoping they would do it voluntarily, as this would hold employers accountable for keeping workers safe.
The three-tier warning system marks a significant milestone in protecting outdoor workers, but it isn’t enough. The government must raise awareness of the campaign, teach workers their rights, concentrate on enforcement and provide adequate resources for outdoor workers to protect their well-being.