Hong Kong Democracy Research Institute: 1.74 million migrant workers suffering from mental distress, organization advocates mental injury and occupational disease compensation

District 18 News

Written by: Huang Jinghong

2021-01-29 21:12

Last update date: 2021-01-29 21:14

The unemployment rate in Hong Kong has risen, and wage earners have a heavy workload and they lose their jobs at any time.

The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Project announced today (29th) the latest survey results. It was found that about 35% of the respondents felt mentally distressed due to work. The reason was nothing more than heavy workload and error-free work. It is estimated that there are about 1.74 million migrant workers in Hong Kong. Well, there are different levels of mental distress, and more than 22% of the interviewees feel pressured because they are worried about being fired or the company closing down.

Some NGOs have suggested that mental damage should be included in the occupational disease category in the Employees' Compensation Regulations.

The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Project announced today (29th) the latest survey results and found that about 35% of the respondents felt mental distress due to work.

(Photo by Huang Jinghong)

The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Project (Hong Kong Public Opinion Research) under the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, together with the Hong Kong Research Institute and the Christian Industry Council, interviewed 4,769 Hong Kong people over 12 years old via email from January 18 to 25. The subject was "Work and Mental Health" "The survey conference and the first small policy forum were held today (29th).

Dai Jiehui, manager of the Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion (Data Science), pointed out that the survey showed that about 35% of the respondents "sometimes" to "very often" feel mental distress due to work.

The heavy workload, the need to complete the work in a short time, and the fact that the work must not make mistakes are the most psychologically disturbing reasons. Secondly, 24% of the respondents are troubled by working after work.

Another 37% of the interviewees felt that there was insufficient labor protection when they felt mentally distressed.

It is worth noting that the latest unemployment rate in Hong Kong has reached 6.6%, the highest since SARS in 2003. The survey also found that 22% of the respondents were worried about being dismissed or going out of business, which caused mental distress and became anxious. In an uneasy social atmosphere, 11% and 9% of the respondents chose the two options of different political positions from their boss or colleagues, work inconsistent with values, and work against professional ethics.

Zhong Jianhua, the deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion, estimates that there are about 1.74 million wage earners in Hong Kong who suffer from various degrees of mental distress.

(Photo by Huang Jinghong)

Mental distressed 1.75 million workers

Zhong Jianhua, the deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion, estimates that there are about 1.74 million wage earners in Hong Kong who suffer from various degrees of mental distress.

Tang Wing Sze, Director-General of the Hong Kong Christian Industry Council, added that occupational mental health has already sounded the alarm. She suggested that the authorities amend the law to include mental injury as an occupational disease in the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, and refer to the "Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund" for central processing of compensation , To avoid the trouble of litigation for every compensation.

She pointed out that "many of Hong Kong people's spirits have disappeared, but there is one spirit that has not disappeared, and it is the spirit of reworking." The stress, anxiety, and depression formed in it have made the workplace mental crisis worse.

The Director-General of the Hong Kong Christian Industry Council, Tang Wing Sze, suggested that the authorities amend the law to include mental injury as an occupational disease in the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.

(Photo by Huang Jinghong)

Tang Yongshi continued that improving workplace mental health will be a tough battle. "It must be not optimistic." She hopes to urge the government to start from many aspects, including the inclusion of occupational mental health elements in the 2021 census and the establishment of occupational mental health centers. Provide systematic support services such as prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment, and carry out occupational mental health research and education in universities, middle and primary schools to prevent problems before they occur.

Dr. Yu Dexin, chairman of the Hong Kong Workers' Health Center, was very disappointed that the legislation on standard working hours ended without a problem.

(Photo by Huang Jinghong)

Relieving pressure without decompression does not help solve the source of stress

Dr. Yu Dexin, chairman of the Hong Kong Workers’ Health Center, has promoted occupational health for 40 years. He believes that "the health of employees is that Hong Kong has not received enough attention." Long working hours, shifts, and workload meetings have all caused mental health problems. "But don’t return to the union. There are a lot of health problems. Don’t go back to work for a few years. How would you be intimidated?” He believes that the key is how to balance working hours and health.

He continued that the Standard Working Hours Committee was disbanded after submitting a report to the government in 2017, and that the legislation on standard working hours ended up in no way. He expressed his disappointment and the problem will continue to be troubled.

Yu Dexin believes that starting from the source can completely solve the problem of workplace stress. "Some companies advocate teaching employees to reduce stress and teach them how to cope with stress, but they continue to ignore the source of stress and even increase stress. It is only you. Such stress reduction, such as teaching you to listen to music and exercise, are actually not upside down."

The Hong Kong People's Research Institute expects to promote policy discussions through the "We Hong Kong People Project". The forum will invite non-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, concern groups and professional organizations to co-organize. It is tentatively held at least once or twice a month to discuss various livelihood issues and policy issues. .

Zhong Jianhua said that in the past year or so, due to the aftereffects of the epidemic and social movements, policy discussion platforms such as universities and non-governmental research organizations have been suspended. "I used to be at the Social Policy Research Center of the University of Technology. There were 60 policy-related forums, and none in the past year.” He emphasized that no matter how bad the political situation is, some long-term accumulation of social issues should not stop discussing. Zhong Jianhua hopes that through the "We Hong Kong People Project" project And the associated policy forum made a new attempt to "use data to drive the marginalized issues in the past year and put it back on the agenda."

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