Update | Lifeguards in Hong Kong strike over influx of mainland tourists to pools and beaches
Red flag raised at Butterfly Beach and facilities closed at five public pools as about 100 lifeguards strike over a staff shortage and an increased workload
The red flag was hoisted at Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun and some facilities were closed at five public swimming pools on Tuesday as about 100 lifeguards across the city went on strike.
The lifeguards are protesting a staff shortage and what they say is an increased workload due to an influx of mainland tourists.
Some staged a sit-in at the headquarters of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in Sha Tin.
While the public has been advised not to swim at Butterfly Beach due to a lack of lifeguards, the 37 other public beaches are all open.
Some facilities such as toddlers' pools have been closed at Morrison Hill Swimming Pool in Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool in Sham Shui Po, Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool in Wong Tai Sin, Tuen Mun North West Swimming Pool in Tuen Mun and Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool in Tsuen Wan.
At Hammer Hill Road, swimmer Ms Lam, 60, said the strike was not affecting her much as most of the pool’s facilities remained open. "I support the strike because one needs to fight for one’s interest in order to have a fair share in this society,” she said.
