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Typhoon Mangkhut
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The rush hour crush at Tai Wai MTR Station amid service disruptions and delays on September 17, the day after Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong. Passengers spent hours just getting to the platform. Photo: Felix Wong
OpinionLetters

Hong Kong travel chaos after Typhoon Mangkhut a chance to take the lead on labour law

Typhoon Mangkhut
Letters
Letters
Why you can trust SCMP

The signal 10 severe Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong on Sunday, September 16. By 5.20am on Monday, the signal was downgraded to T3 and, in the absence of any other directives, the assumption was that everyone was expected to go to work as usual, although, a few hours later, the government called for flexible arrangements based on “mutual understanding” between employers and employees.

As we all know by now, a large part of our public transport system, including some MTR lines and many bus routes, was not restored in time for the morning rush hour. Roads had not been cleaned up and fallen trees and glass shards were everywhere. Undoubtedly, these impediments increased the difficulty, not to mention the risk, of returning to work.

The situation left many people asking why the government did not give the city a day to recuperate.

But those who asked this question might not have been aware that, according to Hong Kong laws, the chief executive does not have the authority to grant leave days. The law may be amended but this must be done through the proper channels, specifically the Legislative Council. After all, we are a society based on the rule of law.

Time off work in the wake of typhoons has to be considered
The debacle on September 17, unfortunate as it was, should be viewed as an opportunity to improve the legal system relating to travel and other procedures in the wake of a major weather incident.

To begin with, citizens should only be obliged to return to work once public facilities have been restored. The alternative leads to delays and extreme crowding, as seen on September 17, which also increased the workload of frontline staff and further delayed the resumption of services. We should be better prepared for the next superstorm, which may come sooner than we think.

Ma Shang, Sai Wan Ho

 

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