Tropical Storm Toraji causes Hong Kong to issue Typhoon Signal No. 8

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The Labour Department reminded employers to make work arrangements for employees on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work, and remote work (if applicable).

As Tropical Storm Toraji moved closer to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 at 11:10pm on 13 November 2024.

Toraji begins to weaken and will depart from Hong Kong. The Observatory will issue the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 at 10:20am, 14 November 2024.

Classes of all AM and whole-day schools will be suspended. Nonetheless, Hong Kong's securities and derivatives markets under HKEX will maintain operations under the Severe Weather Trading (SWT) arrangement.

The Labour Department (LD) reminded employers to make work arrangements for employees on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work, and remote work (if applicable) during and after tropical cyclone warnings, rainstorm warnings, and "extreme conditions".

Employers are also advised to adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to the actual difficulties and needs of employees.

A LD spokesperson said: "As natural calamities cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume work on time due to adverse weather or 'extreme conditions', employers should neither deduct their wages, good attendance bonuses or allowances, nor reduce employees' entitlement to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance, or ask for additional hours of work from employees to compensate for the loss of working hours when they are unable to report for duty."

If it is necessary for employees to report for duty at workplaces under adverse weather or "extreme conditions", employers should work out arrangements for their transport, safety, meals, rest places and more. If public transport services are suspended or limited when T8 or higher, or "extreme conditions" is in force, employers should provide safe transport services for employees travelling to and from workplaces, or grant them an extra travelling allowance.

Employers can refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions" published by the LD. They should also observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Employees' Compensation Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance.

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