Reduce maximum working hours of Hong Kong bus drivers, union says after fatal Kowloon crash
Workers echo company’s claim of manpower shortage and calls for government to look into industry guidelines
Citybus Limited Employees Union said it was time for the government to address long working hours and manpower shortage in the industry. The call came even as Citybus, the company involved in Friday night’s crash, said its 44-year-old driver in the incident had been given enough rest time in between shifts.
“We have been urging the Transport Department to lower the maximum working hours to 12 since 2013,” Henry Hui Hon-kit, vice-chairman of the union, said.
Bus company whose driver was involved in fatal Hong Kong crash admits to manpower shortage
“It is time for them to address this issue seriously as it is potentially leading to safety issues for bus drivers, passengers and other citizens.”
A bus driver who declined to be named said the driver involved in the incident was a contract staff who recently worked 14 hours a day.
With overtime allowance added to his monthly income of about HK$14,000, this would bring the figure he was earning roughly to HK$19,000 a month, the employee said.
Earlier on Saturday, Citybus development director William Chung Chak-man admitted there was manpower shortage in the company, and that the driver in the crash had taken a work shift that was earlier than usual.