In the second phase of relaxation of social distancing measures, three of them took effect earlier today (5th), including the reopening of swimming pools and beaches, and masks are not required for outdoor sports. However, the 38 public swimming pools under the LCSD must be postponed to next Thursday (12th). ) can be reopened, and only 15 beaches can provide lifeguard service from 9 to 6.
The Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Saving Staff Association criticized the lack of communication between the LCSD and the government, which resulted in the failure to reopen the swimming pool in time, and revealed that the manpower was seriously insufficient. Doubtful.
The trade union stressed that the LCSD had been warned of a serious shortage of manpower six years ago, and suggested that the department should adjust the proportion of seasonal lifeguards to improve job prospects, but the department only responded to the trade union with "language arts".
▼On the first day of government closure of the beach on March 17, Repulse Bay Beach was empty▼
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The spokesman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Saving Workers Union, Wu Qirong, said on the RTHK program "Millennium Times" in the morning that the swimming pool could not be reopened in time. , unable to open the pool without timely preparation, "This problem has already occurred in the previous reopenings. Originally, our front-line staff thought this time would be better, but after the last two leaks, I realized that this time is more serious. , this time, we only have two or three days to prepare."
Wu Kairong, spokesman for the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Saving Workers Union.
(File photo / Photo by Liao Junsheng)
He also pointed out that the severe shortage of lifeguards has prevented half of the beaches from being opened. Only "big beaches" and beaches with many people can arrange lifeguards. For beaches without lifeguarding services, two or three lifeguards must still be reserved. In emergencies, help citizens to report to the police, "This one has gotten us a lot of trouble, so do we have to send two or three lifeguards to help? It’s not easy to get in to rush the citizens away, and it’s not easy to get in. It’s really a dilemma and it’s my place.”
▼On March 13, citizens went to the Big Wave Bay Beach for "launching ceremony"▼
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He also revealed that the LCSD has forcibly reduced the number of lifeguards in order to reopen as many swimming pools as possible. The safety factor will be reduced, so everyone really has to be careful.”
He stressed that the LCSD has repeatedly warned about the consequences of reducing its manpower establishment, but the department ignored the trade union's suggestion.
▼List of public swimming pool reopening schedule in two phases▼
Hu Qirong said that about 2,300 lifeguards are needed in the peak season each year, of which 800 are seasonal employees. However, there were already a shortage of 500 last year, and the situation is even worse this year. Changing jobs made the situation worse, and the beaches and swimming pools were closed many times, and the lifeguards were not able to exercise their skills and physical fitness. "Even if you invite someone to come back with a (lifesaving) chapter, their physical fitness and skills will be unfamiliar."
▼The beaches will reopen on May 5, and only 15 have lifeguards▼
He revealed that the labor union had warned the LCSD about the shortage of lifeguards six years ago, but the department did not take it seriously, only using "language arts" and "digital skills" to say that they had increased recruitment, but the shortage was increasing year by year. , which shows that the propaganda is ineffective at all. The cause of the problem is that the occupation has no prospects, lacks a promotion ladder, no social status, and insufficient training. It is urged to adjust the ratio of seasonal lifeguards and long-term lifeguards to attract people with a stable working environment.
Relaxation of epidemic prevention | Swimming pool sampling version delays the opening of lifesaving unions: expect water sports facilities to continue to close in one article to see today's relaxation measures, restaurants will increase to 8 people per table to reopen swimming pools, beach LCSD swimming pools will not reopen on Thursday, the fastest part will wait until 5.12 Department: It will take time to test the water version