FHKI deputy chairman and PRD Council chairman Stanley Lau met the deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Labour and Social Security Department, Chen Huakang on 8 July 2008 to exchange views on the Notice about paying an allowance to employees that work in high-temperature workplace environments during summer months.
The Department’s division chief Deng Yaojun briefed Mr Lau on the background of the Notice (Yuelaoshe [2007] No.103). He explained that this Notice was based on the Notice on Steeping up Requirement for Cooling the Workplace in Summer issued by four ministries in the Central Government (Weijiandufa [2007] No.103).
Stanley Lau pointed out that manufacturers are well aware of the need to give proper protection to employees working in high-temperature workplace environments during the summer. He pointed out that the majority of employers nowadays have already provided comfortable and safe working environments for workers, such as providing air-conditioned workplace and cold drinks for workers during the summer.
In view of this, many enterprises consider the payment of an allowance to all workers as unfair to the enterprises which have already made investments for a more comfortable workplace environment. This is especially so in the context of added costs to manufacturers who are now encountering unprecedented challenges posed by deteriorating global economic conditions.
Mr Chen responded that the Notice was issued in September last year. The Department is aware of the need to review the operating procedures and will collect views from enterprises. He understands that one essential factor of labour protection is corporate survival. Therefore, they will strive to strike a balance between corporate benefits and employee welfare.
Furthermore, the FHKI received a reply from the China Enterprise Confederation on this issue (please see attached). The letter indicates that the Confederation has relayed the FHKI’s message to the relevant ministries. The authorities advise that the Notice is a provincial policy paper and therefore the FHKI should communicate with the Guangdong authorities. And as reported above, the FHKI met the Guangdong Labour and Social Security Department last week. Members wishing to clarify issues concerning the high-temperature allowance may liaise with the related departments of the respective county or city authority.
