How overworked are Hongkongers? More than half of employees log over 45 hours a week, some longer than 70 hours: union survey
- Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions says 7.3 per cent of respondents work more than 70 hours a week, well above International Labour Organization recommendation
- Findings prompt call for standardised work week and better legal protection for employees
More than half of Hongkongers work over 45 hours a week and some longer than 70 hours, far exceeding recommendations by the International Labour Organization, a survey has revealed.
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions on Saturday released the results of its poll, calling for better legal protections for employees and a standardised work week. The survey covered 748 full- and part-time workers aged above 18, mostly employed in tourism, hotels, catering, retail and wholesale, and transport.
“The findings are consistent with Hong Kong’s long-term problem of excessive working hours,” said labour sector lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung, who is part of the federation.
The survey showed that over 50 per cent of employees worked more than 45 hours a week, while 7.3 per cent logged more than 70 hours. The International Labour Organization recommends a 40-hour work week and considers more than 48 hours excessive.
Nearly seven in 10 respondents said they were required to work overtime. About 3.3 per cent of those polled recorded 16 to 20 hours of overtime per week and about 3.1 per cent reported more than 21 hours of additional work, according to the survey.
More than two in five workers said their employers did not provide any compensation for the extra hours.
“Long periods of overworking can affect efficiency and increase the chances of sudden death,” Kwok said.
According to the survey, which gathered responses earlier this month, 65 per cent of employees were required to reply to their bosses’ text messages or handle tasks after finishing their work day.
Symptoms linked to overworking were reported by 85 per cent of respondents, which included long-term tiredness, a decline in memory and concentration, and stress.
Other effects included a loss of interest in everyday life, insomnia, low spirits and poor appetite.
More than nine in 10 respondents said the government should better protect the labour force by investigating cases of sudden death while working, and study and define the concept of overwork. They also recommended establishing legislation on death from overwork, as had been achieved in places such as Japan.
The federation said official statistics showed the number of non-accidental deaths during work reached about 120 to 140 annually between 2015 and 2020.
“The death of employees caused by health problems … brought great harm to many families,” said Ip Wai-ming, vice-chairman of the federation’s occupational safety and health association.
“We hope the government will pay attention to the situation of sudden death from overwork and protect Hong Kong workers’ occupational safety and health.”
Ip blamed long hours and stress for certain illnesses among employees and some cases of sudden death at work. He urged the government to enhance protection and amend laws to ensure cases of sudden death caused by overwork were covered by labour insurance.
Legislator Kwok said existing laws did not provide legal regulation and protection for non-accidental fatalities at work. He urged authorities to investigate cases of employees dying suddenly while on the job and set up legislation on fatalities linked to overworking.
Kwok also called on the government to enhance education and raise public awareness on preventing overwork, and establish a standard working week of 44 hours to protect the health of employees.
Wong Po-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Owners’ Association, said cabbies had long faced excessive working hours of up to 60 hours a week.
He explained that many drivers were elderly and suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, with some worried that extended periods of overworking could increase their chances of dying suddenly.
“Taxi drivers have no other option but to work long hours to earn money and meet basic living needs,” Wong said.
But the taxi driver expressed concerns that limiting hours would lead to lost income. Instead, he urged authorities to relax area restrictions for the trade and alleviate road congestion, allowing taxi drivers to earn more while working fewer hours.
Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, said many low-income workers – especially those in catering, nursing and security – worked more than 70 hours a week. Some were forced to do so by their employers while others on the minimum wage had to work longer hours to make ends meet, she said.
Sze urged the government to raise the minimum wage from the current HK$40 an hour to at least HK$53.40 (US$7.80). She said authorities should set a standard 44-hour work week, under which employers had to pay staff more for hours beyond that threshold.
