As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, the Labour Department (LD) today (July 17) reminded employers to make work arrangements for staff during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and work from home (if applicable). In implementing the work arrangements and contingency measures, employers should give consideration as much as possible to the different situations faced by individual employees, such as their place of residence and the road and traffic conditions in the vicinity, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to their actual difficulties and needs. For example, employers may permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work from home or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work. Employers should also observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under relevant legislation.
 
     The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms", which outlines the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation for reference in drawing up the work arrangements under adverse weather conditions for employers and employees. The booklet can be downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

     As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is issued, the Home Affairs Department will open temporary shelters for people in need. Please refer to the annex for details.
      
     For enquiries, please contact the emergency hotline on 2572 8427.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) delegation, led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, continued its study visit in Fuzhou, Fujian province today (July 16) to learn about the city's effort in heritage conservation, as well as its latest development in smart industry and information technology.
 
     In the morning, the delegation first visited Sanfang Qixiang, a national tourist attraction. It is the largest intact old town district in the Mainland and a national heritage unit which dates back to the Tang dynasty. Members toured the historic neighbourhood on electric vehicles and visited the homes of famous historic persons to understand the city's work in protecting historic buildings and promoting tourism development.
 
     The delegation then held talks with deputies to the Fujian Provincial People's Congress and members of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.
 
     In the afternoon, the delegation visited senior citizens from Hong Kong residing in Fuzhou to gain a better understanding on their retirement protection under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Fujian Scheme and lives there.
 
     The delegation next visited Fujian Star-net Communication Co. Ltd. to gain an understanding of how the company applies its technology in network communication, terminal facilities and video to a range of products, including those used in the medical, education and retail businesses.
 
     In the evening, the delegation met Standing Committee Member of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Lin Baojin, as well as leaders of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government. During the meeting, a number of Members expressed views on various fields such as digital economy, trade and logistics, cultural tourism, etc. They also discussed how to deepen the cooperation and connection between Hong Kong and Fujian.
 
     The delegation will head to Xiamen tomorrow (July 17) to continue with the study visit.

          

     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 (T8) will soon be in force, the Labour Department (LD) today (July 16) reminded employers to make work arrangements for staff during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and work from home (if applicable). 
 
     An LD spokesman said, "In drawing up and implementing the work arrangements, apart from factors such as operational needs of establishments, employers should give prime consideration to employees' safety and the feasibility for employees to travel to and from their workplaces. Employers should also give consideration as much as possible to the different situations faced by individual employees, such as their place of residence and the road and traffic conditions in the vicinity, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to their actual difficulties and needs. For example, employers may permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work from home or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work.
 
     "Under special situations, if it is necessary for employees to report for duty at workplaces under adverse weather conditions, employers should work out arrangements for their transportation, safety, meal, rest place and more. If public transport services are suspended or limited when T8 or higher is in force, employers should provide safe transport services for employees travelling to and from workplaces, or grant them an extra travelling allowance."
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
 
     The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms", which provides a reference for employers and employees on the work and resumption of work arrangements in the event of the Government making the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement, as well as the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation for reference in drawing up the work arrangements under adverse weather conditions. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is highly concerned about a tree collapse accident that happened around 4.36pm this afternoon (July 16), while Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was in force, at South Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. During the accident, a 43-year-old female swimmer was injured. She was sent to Queen Mary Hospital by ambulance in conscious state.

     The LCSD is highly concerned about the accident and extends sympathies to the injured swimmer. The tree concerned was managed by the LCSD. After the incident, the LCSD has cordoned off the subject area and informed the Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau in accordance with the reporting mechanism.

     The LCSD will conduct a thorough inspection on other trees inside the South Bay Beach area so as to ensure public safety.