Housing Department contractor under scrutiny after cleaner 'voluntarily' worked in typhoon

A video of an elderly cleaner struggling to push a garbage cart through howling winds and lashing rain during Typhoon Ragasa has ignited public anger over the safety of outdoor workers during extreme weather.

The footage, shot at 9am on September 24 in Tin Shui Wai’s Tin Shui Estate, emerged while the city’s highest Hurricane Signal No. 10 was still in force.

The clip shows the worker, clad in a flimsy raincoat, wrestling with an overloaded bin that swayed dangerously as gusts whipped through the housing estate.

Defensive response from authorities

In a statement, the Housing Department confirmed it was aware of the incident and had contacted the outsourced service contractor involved.

The department said the worker "returned to his post voluntarily" to prevent waste from accumulating during the storm. While thanking the employee for his "dedication," the department emphasized that worker safety must be prioritized and urged the contractor to follow official guidelines for severe weather.

This explanation did little to satisfy critics. Labour rights advocates quickly pointed out that the government’s Code of Practice on Working in Inclement Weather lacks legal force, calling it a "toothless tiger" that allows employers to ignore safety protocols.

Although the Labour Department mandates that employers "should not require employees to work" during Signal No. 8 or higher, exceptions for "essential staff" remain vaguely defined.

Following the backlash, Housing Department officials visited the estate on September 25, reminding cleaners to avoid outdoor work during storms. Colleagues of the worker involved also revealed he did not report for duty.

(Marco Lam)