Editorial | Summer in air with new lifeguard crisis

It says something about the nature of the lifeguard industry when public swimming pools and beaches have again been hit by a summer manpower shortage. It also reflects the inadequacies of the department managing recreational facilities. The lack of lifeguards on duty means popular pools and beaches cannot be enjoyed to the full even when life is largely back to normal after years of pandemic pain.

Indeed, swimmers have complained that most pools in recent years were only partly open during peak periods. According to the Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union, 20 of the 45 public pools have now told swimming clubs they cannot operate all their facilities this summer. The partial closure of lanes and pools puts swimming classes and other activities at risk of being cancelled.

Perhaps one should not be too surprised that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been struggling to recruit lifeguards to oversee pools. Only 240 out of 600 seasonal lifeguards have reported for duty, meaning the hiring of people to work at public swimming venues has once again fallen short of its target. The recruitment of full-time staff has also been unsatisfactory, despite the introduction of a more attractive two-year contract. As of this month, 17 public pools were only partly operating, with three under maintenance or reconstruction.

Lifeguards seasonally employed by the government have long complained about their relatively low salaries and lack of career prospects. They are classified as artisans on the civil service pay scale, with monthly salaries ranging from HK$17,675 to HK$24,500. Those with the necessary qualifications usually prefer to work in private pools because of higher wages and less red tape. The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has also disrupted training and the supply of lifeguards, prompting many to switch to more stable jobs and making recruitment even more difficult.

It is a shame that swimming pools and beaches cannot be enjoyed more by the public when the mercury creeps higher. With the pursuit of sports and leisure activities largely back to those pre-coronavirus days, officials must step up efforts to address the chronic shortage.