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Typhoon Kompasu lashes Causeway Bay. Photo: Martin Chan

Hong Kong’s work rules in need of wind of change

  • Time has arrived to review existing regulations and guidelines governing employees when typhoons or heavy rainstorms hit the city

Rightly or wrongly, in just a week the city’s weatherman has borne the brunt of scathing attacks following a series of rainstorms and typhoons.

This is hardly surprising, especially when forecasts do not match the reality and bosses and employees cannot agree about working in bad weather. A lack of clear and binding government guidelines has also left many of those who work outside vulnerable.

We trust the Observatory has learned its lesson. Weather forecasting, after all, is not only a set of predictions based on science and data, but also an art of getting the message across. This means issuing advice and warnings in a timely and accurate manner so the city can stay safe under extreme conditions.

Equally worthy of attention is protection for those who still have to work despite the conditions. This has become more important as a greater number of shops, restaurants and food delivery businesses continue to operate during rainstorms and typhoons.

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Hong Kong shut down by Typhoon Kompasu, second severe storm to lash the city in less than a week

Hong Kong shut down by Typhoon Kompasu, second severe storm to lash the city in less than a week

Current guidelines mainly focus on suitable work arrangements agreed in advance. While it is the norm for office workers to return home or stay there during typhoon signal No 8, the lack of legally binding rules – except for those laid down in the Employment Ordinance – means bosses may still require staff to continue working.

During the hazardous conditions brought by Typhoon Kompasu and Tropical Storm Lionrock, some workers were still expected to deliver meals or keep premises open. Last week, a construction worker died when scaffolding at a residential site collapsed amid an amber rainstorm warning and a typhoon signal No 3.

Even though the labour law was recently amended to extend compensation payments to those killed or injured in extreme conditions while travelling to and from work, questions have been raised as to whether this covers food deliverers, who are usually paid by the order and without any official contract.

The nature of different professions makes legally binding rules for all impractical, but it does not mean there is no reason to review existing regulations and guidelines. As the internet and social media reshape business operations and work patterns, it makes sense for the government and the private sector to revisit these arrangements.

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