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Hong Kong labour groups push for district heat alerts as temperatures hit 35C
Hong Kong Observatory data show some northern districts exceeded 35 degrees Celsius before noon, while an amber heat stress at work warning remained territory-wide, drawing criticism.
Hong Kong stayed under extreme heat on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 Fahrenheit, in parts of the city, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. Parts of northern Hong Kong, including Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling, had already surpassed 35 degrees before noon.
Labour representatives urged authorities to introduce a district-level index to better protect outdoor workers. They pointed to the Very Hot Weather Warning and the Amber Heat Stress at Work Warning, which have been in effect since Wednesday morning, but say the current system does not reflect big local temperature differences.
Critics faulted the Labour Department’s Heat Stress at Work Warning System, noting that the lowest-level amber alert for outdoor workers has remained in place despite record heat earlier in the week. Li Wing-foo, chairman of the Staffs and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines, said warnings should be issued at a district level rather than relying only on territory-wide readings and argued areas such as the northern New Territories and the airport apron can run far hotter than urban stations.
He added that the airport apron is exposed and should have its own independent reading so employers can roll out targeted protections for staff, according to comments cited by the outlet SCMP Economy.