Go to main content
 
Transcript of remarks by SLW on Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work at media session (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work at a media session after officiating at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department this afternoon (August 4):

Reporter: Yesterday there's an NGO (non-governmental organisation) releasing a survey finding that more than 80 per cent of cleaners in Hong Kong did not fully follow the guidelines under the Heat Stress at Work Warning system. How would you comment on this phenomenon and does the Labour Department have any plans to make this guideline legally binding?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The very purpose of Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work is to provide a clear guidance to employers and also, of course, employees, so that the arrangements including work hours could be adjusted having regard to the weather condition in Hong Kong. This is the first time a revised guideline has been introduced. 

     The Labour Department has stepped up inspections, and for cases where we see a need for improvement, we will issue warnings. We will review the situation but clearly for this moment, having a guideline for us is the most balanced approach to deal with the challenge of climate change, and more days where we will see higher temperatures and with greater heat stroke risk. Right now we have no plan to legislate.  

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 
Ends/Friday, August 4, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:17
NNNN
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 4) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department. Photo shows Mr Sun speaking at the ceremony.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 4) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department. Photo shows (from left) Mr Lam; the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam; and Mr Sun officiating at the ceremony.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 4) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department. Photo shows the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam (centre), introducing the booth of Hong Kong International Airport to Mr Lam (left) and Mr Sun (right).
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 4) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department. Photo shows (from left) Mr Lam; Mr Sun; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam, at the booth of Aviation Security Company Limited.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 4) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 jointly launched by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Labour Department. Photo shows (from left) the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu; the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam; Mr Lam; and Mr Sun trying an air traffic control interactive game at the exhibition booth of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD). The CAD participated in the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023 for three consecutive days from today to August 6 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.