Lifeguard shortage forces pool closure at a third of Hong Kong swimming complexes, union survey finds
Workers’ groups urge government to set up training school and enhance image of profession to attract young people
A shortage of lifeguards has forced about a third of public swimming complexes in Hong Kong to close their pools for at least 10 days in the past two months, a survey by unions has found.
On Tuesday, two leading workers’ groups, which conducted the poll, urged the government to set up a lifeguard training school to upgrade staff skills and enhance the industry’s image to attract new blood.
Data collected by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Lifeguards Union and the Hong Kong Government Lifeguards General Union found the manpower issue had worsened in the past three years, with the industry’s shortage rate soaring from 6.9 per cent in 2015 to 21.6 per cent in 2017 during the summer peak season.
The Government Lifeguards General Union has some 600 members, while the Lifeguards Union has about 500.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department manages a total of 44 public swimming pool complexes and 41 public beaches in Hong Kong.
Presenting the survey results, Lifeguards General Union chairman Anson Tang Tsz-on said out of 37 public swimming complexes surveyed, 14 had their pools closed for as long as 10 days since the peak season for swimmers started in April, because there were not enough lifeguards.
