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Hong Kong’s cleaners left to pick up pieces after protest violence without proper protection against effects of tear gas

HONG KONG — A union representing workers who clean Hong Kong’s streets, public toilets and markets has asked they be provided with protective gear as anti-government violence continues to escalate.

A worker cleans up the outside of Sham Shui Po Police Station after anti-government clashes.

A worker cleans up the outside of Sham Shui Po Police Station after anti-government clashes.

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HONG KONG — A union representing workers who clean Hong Kong’s streets, public toilets and markets has asked they be provided with protective gear as anti-government violence continues to escalate.

The Cleaning Workers Union also wants rules eased so workers can stop what they are doing without fear of being punished if clashes break out near them.

A survey of 75 cleaners, conducted last month, found that none of them were properly protected from the effects of tear gas, and some complained about eye and respiratory pain after being exposed to the chemical weapon.

Workers polled cleaned near common protest sites in nine districts across the territory, including Causeway Bay, Central, Wan Chai, Sheung Wan, Western, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, and Tsuen Wan.

Of those interviewed, 53 said they had been exposed to tear gas during work, and some said they had eye pain, respiratory or skin irritation afterwards. All of those interviewed said they did not have any protective gear, except for common surgical masks which are standard issue when cleaning some of the city’s dirtier areas.

“Many of the cleaning workers are old people or from the ethnic minority groups,” said Ms Leung Tsz-yan, the union’s spokeswoman.

“They simply do not know what to do when clashes break out, and remain at the scene. Tear gas can cause serious health problems to the workers if they are exposed to too much of it, or for too long.”

Ms Leung wants cleaners to be provided with respirators, goggles, and gloves.

“Although the government contracts out cleaning work to private companies, the government still has an obligation to make sure the workers are safe,” she said.

“The government should give more guidelines to the contractors, say, the cleaners should have an early leave before protests happen. Even the MTR closes stations before big protests.”

Ms Leung said the department should also set up a special team to clean-up tear gas residue, rather than expecting general cleaners to do the work.

In response, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it attached great importance to the safety of employees working for its contractors.

“In case there is protest or mass public event that could affect the safety of cleaners, we would ask the cleaners to stop work, and for the company to send them to a safe and suitable site elsewhere to work,” said the department in a statement.

There are already guidelines in place regarding occupational safety, and cleaning workers could refer it to the department when they came across dangerous or chemical residue, the department said. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

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