Calls for system review after lowest alert in force during record-breaking heat
Hong Kong authorities are under pressure to review the warning system for heat stress at work after it remained at the lowest risk level on Sunday, despite the city sweltering through its hottest day on record. Labour unionists, joined by a leading meteorologist, also proposed relaxing the law to recognise heatstroke as a work-related injury, thus entitling workers to compensation. A scorching…
Hong Kong's heat stress warning system is facing scrutiny after remaining at the lowest amber level on the city's hottest day on record. Temperatures soared to 36.9 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous peak set in 1884. Union leaders and a meteorologist argue the rigid criteria for raising warnings are preventing adequate protection for outdoor workers.
They propose reclassifying heatstroke as a work-related injury to enable compensation for affected employees. The current system, based on a heat index, has not issued red or black alerts since its launch in 2023. Former Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying recommends using the wet-bulb globe temperature, a more comprehensive metric, to assess heat stress in direct sunlight.
However, some lawmakers caution that assigning a clear medical definition to heatstroke could complicate labour rights issues.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
