Labour unions call for mandatory heatstroke-prevention equipment for workers
Hong Kong labour unionists have called for employers to be required to provide outdoor workers with heatstroke-prevention equipment during extreme temperatures. They also said on Saturday that heatstroke should be added to the list of statutory occupational diseases, making it easier for workers to claim compensation in work-related cases. The calls for better protection for workers in extreme…
Hong Kong's labour unions have urged employers to provide mandatory heatstroke-prevention equipment to outdoor workers during extreme temperatures. Chau Sze-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, highlighted the need for fan-cooled jackets, which could cost over HK$1,000 (US$128) each, to help workers regulate their body temperature in high heat.
Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions proposed that tender documents should outline personal heatstroke-prevention equipment requirements and compensation for project delays due to heatwaves. He also called for heatstroke to be recognized as a statutory occupational disease, simplifying compensation claims for affected workers.
Former Hong Kong Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying suggested setting objective indicators for heatstroke, transferring the burden of proof to employers if certain temperature thresholds are exceeded. The Labour Department faced criticism for its Heat Stress at Work Warning system remaining at the lowest level despite a peak temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius being recorded.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
