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Typhoon Mangkhut
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Commuters pick their way through fallen trees outside Diamond Hill MTR station on September 17, the morning after Typhoon Mangkhut tore through Hong Kong. Photo: Winson Wong

How Hong Kong government and bosses failed workers after Typhoon Mangkhut

I read with concern your report, “Three workers hurt by falling fence while removing trees toppled by Mangkhut” (September 18).
Super Typhoon Mangkhut was the strongest storm to ever hit Hong Kong, and left a trail of destruction on Sunday, toppling trees and damaging buildings. I think the Education Bureau’s decision to keep schools closed for the following two days was a wise one, as fallen trees had blocked roads, hitting transport services, and still-standing but weakened trees and branches posed a risk to pedestrians and vehicles.
But office workers were not so lucky (“Three in 10 workers ‘would lose out if absent because of typhoon’”, September 20). They still needed to go to work, even when most buses were off the road and taking the MTR meant two-hour waits for some on the East Rail and Light Rail lines.

I think employers should have let staff stay home or work from there, because safety must be the first concern.

Hong Kong did not have a plan for the morning after Typhoon Mangkhut

Also, as transport links had yet to return to normal, getting to work was a harrowing experience for many. With the fallen trees and broken windows, and streets strewn with debris and shards of glass, the city was a mess. I think both the government and employers should have put public safety and labour welfare first, and asked workers to stay home.

Chow Wing Yin, Tseung Kwan O

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