Hong Kong helpers urge employers to relax ‘air-con ban’ in heatwave

Domestic workers in Hong Kong are routinely banned from switching on air conditioning when working at home alone, union leaders have said, urging employers to…

Domestic workers in Hong Kong are routinely banned from switching on air conditioning when working at home alone, union leaders have said, urging employers to allow helpers to use it during very hot weather.

The issue surfaced last week after an employer drew widespread online criticism for scolding her domestic helper for switching on an air conditioner an hour earlier than household rules allowed, as an intense heatwave gripped the city.

The Hong Kong Observatory said high temperatures would persist throughout the week, warning of “extremely hot” conditions on Friday, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in urban areas.

The forecaster issued its third “very hot weather” warning signal this week on Tuesday morning and reminded residents to stay hydrated, even indoors.

“If there is no air conditioning, windows should be kept open and fans used as far as possible to maintain adequate indoor ventilation,” it said.

The forecaster recently recorded six consecutive “hot nights” – when the minimum temperature remains above 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) – marking the longest such streak for May. Temperatures soared to as high as 36.7 degrees in the New Territories on Friday.

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