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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
As for the sex of cleansing workers, normally two cleansing workers each of both sexes are stationed in every toilet of the larger parks, such as the Victorian Park (the public toilet on Hing Fat Street), while for other toilets, cleansing workers each of both sexes are deployed, with each of them taking care of one toilet. However, for smaller public toilets, we only employ one cleansing worker (male or female). In such circumstances, situations would arise in which the toilets are cleaned by workers of the opposite sex. We are left with no choice. In these cases, the toilets must be closed, but as every Member knows, it takes only a short time to clean a toilet. Moreover, cleaning is done off the peak hours, so that no inconvenience is caused. If anyone wishes to use the toilet urgently, cleaning can be put off. At the same time, the Department has advised the cleansing workers that if the toilet is being used, they should not start cleaning and if there are members of the public who need to use the toilet urgently, they should stop working and make the appropriate arrangement.
As for the frequency of cleaning, it varies according to the number of users. For example, for a daily utilization rate of more than 600 users, a fixed cleansing worker is provided. The standard however has now been lowered to that of 500 users. For the utilization rate of less than 500 users, the frequency of cleaning is three to four times a day. The cleaning standard varies according to the number of users. The Working Group has recently decided that in future, the daily cleaning schedule should be displayed conspicuously in each public toilet, say at 8.00 a.m., 12 noon, 4.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. If any toilet is found to be in an unsatisfactory condition immediately after a certain cleaning session, then for sure the cleansing worker has been absent from duty. On the other hand, if any toilet is found to be very dirty, say at 7.45 a.m., that is, before the cleaning session at 8.00 a.m., then it is excusable. The frequency of cleaning is therefore stipulated.
As to the question of whether the time required for cleaning is determined by the size of the toilet, the reply is negative. Such a standard is not adopted because it is very complicated. In fact, cleaning service is evaluated by efficiency rather than by size.
IV. MOTIONS
(1) MR. JP KWOK-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, moved:-
'RESOLVED that:
(a) a Declaration be made under Section 79(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132 to further amend the Declaration of Markets in the Urban Council Area first published in the Gazette as Government Notice Number 1620 of 1960; and (b) the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Public Markets) (Designation and Amendment of Tenth Schedule) Order 1998 be made
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