XN000022-1995-07-03 — Page 3

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Work arrangements during rainstorms urged

Prior agreement on work arrangements and contingency measures in times of rainstorms between employers and employees is important in avoiding unnecessary misunderstanding and disputes.

Senior Labour Officer (Labour Relations Promotion) of the Labour Department, Mrs Bernadette Lai, today (Monday) reminded employers and employees to reach an agreement on work arrangements during inclement weather without delay.

"Statutory regulations of work arrangements in times of rainstorms would not be practicable because of the diversity in nature and requirements of job in various trades and industries.

"Therefore, employers are strongly advised to adopt a flexible approach in drawing up work arrangements during inclement weather. Due consideration should be given to employees' safety in workplace as well as their journey to and from work, she said.

The Labour Department has published a bilingual booklet entitled "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" which serves as a reference guide to facilitate employers and employees to make early work arrangements for inclement weather. This publication is available at various Labour Relations Service offices throughout the territory.

An agreement on work arrangements should normally cover rules regarding report of duty, release from work, resumption of work and wages calculation.

"The agreement should also state clearly the colour code of rainstorm under which employees are not required to work and the time of issue of such signals when they are not required to report for duty," Mrs Lai said.

Noting that some industries may require employees to work under the Black Rainstorm Warning, Mrs Lai said that such a requirement should be clearly stated before the employment commences or sufficient notice should be given to the employees.

"The work arrangements should also include instructions regarding the release of employees when the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force during working hours," she said.