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

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