Hong Kong authorities have identified 1,600 at-risk elderly households in public housing, but analysts have said the figure fails to reflect the scale of this group of vulnerable residents and urged the government to speed up search efforts. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Saturday that authorities had identified high-risk cases…
Hong Kong authorities will expedite updates to safety guidelines for elevated work platforms and launch a large-scale inspection campaign after three workers died in accidents involving work at height or lifting devices. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han on Saturday expressed grave concern over the string of industrial fatalities, vowing that the government…
Hong Kong authorities may remove building maintenance contractors from a government-recommended list if homeowners are dissatisfied with their performance, as part of measures to combat bid-rigging following the deadly Tai Po fire, the city’s No 2 official has said. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok‑ki said on Saturday that the government aimed to improve the Urban…
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8 per cent over the past three months, although both the labour force and total employment fell slightly. Preliminary data released by the Census and Statistics Department on Tuesday showed that movements in the unemployment and underemployment rates in different sectors varied in the September to November period,…
Thirteen households from the Hong Kong estate devastated by the inferno in Tai Po remain uncontactable more than 10 days on from the blaze, with the city’s labour and welfare chief not ruling out that all may have died in the fire. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the Wang Fuk Court…
Fire safety risks still persist on construction sites across Hong Kong following the deadly blaze in Tai Po, the industry watchdog has warned, after a scaffolding worker in a major subsidised estate was sacked for smoking. Thomas Ho On-sing, chairman of the Construction Industry Council, on Saturday criticised the industry for failing to “learn a…
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has ordered the setting up of a judge-led independent review committee on the blaze that engulfed a Tai Po residential estate while formally announcing that the Legislative Council election will go ahead on Sunday as scheduled. The death toll from the inferno that swept through seven of the…
A deadly Hong Kong blaze that claimed the lives of several domestic helpers will not deter Filipinos from working in the city, the Philippines’ migrant workers minister has said, adding that the city has always been a “safe haven”. Speaking to the Post during a visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday, Hans Leo Cacdac, secretary…
Technology capable of detecting when a flat or refrigerator door opens could help Hong Kong authorities remotely check on whether all is well with elderly residents living alone, a minister has said. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han also said on Saturday that the government was testing using wearable devices as part of…
Hong Kong’s labour minister has ruled out legislating for work suspension arrangements under adverse weather, saying the move will hinder the functioning of society and the early resumption of normalcy. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han rejected the call on Thursday as some lawmakers urged authorities to improve the protection of workers under…