Lifeguards leave their lookouts to protest against pay cuts
Hundreds of lifeguards went on strike yesterday to protest over pay cuts and inequalities.
The protest caused the closure of two public swimming pools - in Shamshuipo and Yuen Long - and some facilities shut at a further 19 pools.
The lifeguards have threatened to strike again if their demands are not met.
About 800 of Hong Kong's 1,580 lifeguards joined the six-hour sit-in, which began at 1pm in Repulse Bay. The government said 685 lifeguards had not reported for work out of a daily workforce of 853.
It is the first time in more than three years that a strike has been held by government employees. In February 2001, hundreds of Lands Department officers protested for half a day against the privatisation of its Survey and Mapping Office.
Alex Kwok Siu-kit, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Lifeguards' Union, apologised for the disruption caused by the strike but would not rule out further strikes.
'We may escalate our action with a longer strike if the Leisure and Cultural Services Department fails to give us a satisfactory answer [to demands for equal pay],' he said, adding a decision would be made in the next few days.
The department and the Hong Kong Life Saving Society mobilised about 300 volunteer lifeguards and Auxiliary Medical Services members to maintain services at public swimming pools and beaches.
Announcements were played at beaches to remind swimmers to be careful, as life-saving service might have been affected because of the protest. But no major incident was reported at any of the city's public pools or beaches.
The lifeguards are angry after their monthly salary was cut from $11,820 to $11,115 in 2001 and further reduced to $8,300 last year. They are also angry that those deployed on outlying islands, in Tuen Mun and Sai Kung are paid $10,000, compared with $8,300 for those who work in urban areas.
'The pay cut has scared away many potential new recruits and now [the government] has changed the contract terms by increasing the monthly salary for lifeguards working in those three districts only. This is unfair, we want equal salaries,' Mr Kwok said.
Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong Wing-ping hoped the lifeguards would respect their contracts and hold talks with the department about their concerns.
Noting that many lifeguards had not joined the protest, Mr Wong said: 'I urge the remainder of the lifeguards to come back and continue to provide the service which they have a contract to perform.'
The department's deputy director, Alan Siu Yu-bun, said further talks would be welcomed. But it is understood there are no plans to raise salaries in urban areas.
