Cleaning workers are facing the greatest risk in the face of a possible flu pandemic and need more support and training to cope, unions say.
Government Frontline Employees Union chairman Wong Wah-wing says there are not enough protective gloves to go round and workers often have to buy their own.
"They have to deal with vomit, feces and phlegm, and their health is at risk if their gloves are worn out," Wong said.
It takes a month or even six months to get replacements, he added.
Workers are also confused about their eligibility for compensation.
During the seven-day human swine flu (H1N1) quarantine period at the Metropark Hotel, Wan Chai, temporary workers without proper training had to deal with sterilization work, putting their safety on the line, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Staff Rights Union chairwoman Li Mei-siu said.
"Without proper training it is too risky for them," Li said.
Workers were exhausted after working long hours due to insufficient manpower, and urged the government to employ an extra 400 to 500 cleaners to ease the workload.
The union also claimed the department is spending HK$4.5 million each month on diluted chlorine solution, which is not effective for the cleaning of dusty streets.
But a department spokeswoman said it is using the solution in the name of improved hygiene.
Meanwhile, a vaccination concern group is advising parents not to wait until September to be vaccinated against pneumococcus.
A specialist has warned delay could result in serious complications if the children are infected with human swine flu.
It is expected 70,000 infants under the age of two will receive free shots this September.
A Hong Kong Child Vaccination Concern Group survey showed parents need to play a more active role in protecting their children.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...4&sid=23981382&con_type=1&d_str=20090525&fc=1
Government Frontline Employees Union chairman Wong Wah-wing says there are not enough protective gloves to go round and workers often have to buy their own.
"They have to deal with vomit, feces and phlegm, and their health is at risk if their gloves are worn out," Wong said.
It takes a month or even six months to get replacements, he added.
Workers are also confused about their eligibility for compensation.
During the seven-day human swine flu (H1N1) quarantine period at the Metropark Hotel, Wan Chai, temporary workers without proper training had to deal with sterilization work, putting their safety on the line, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Staff Rights Union chairwoman Li Mei-siu said.
"Without proper training it is too risky for them," Li said.
Workers were exhausted after working long hours due to insufficient manpower, and urged the government to employ an extra 400 to 500 cleaners to ease the workload.
The union also claimed the department is spending HK$4.5 million each month on diluted chlorine solution, which is not effective for the cleaning of dusty streets.
But a department spokeswoman said it is using the solution in the name of improved hygiene.
Meanwhile, a vaccination concern group is advising parents not to wait until September to be vaccinated against pneumococcus.
A specialist has warned delay could result in serious complications if the children are infected with human swine flu.
It is expected 70,000 infants under the age of two will receive free shots this September.
A Hong Kong Child Vaccination Concern Group survey showed parents need to play a more active role in protecting their children.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...4&sid=23981382&con_type=1&d_str=20090525&fc=1