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Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification
Just a couple of weeks ago, I visited a job fair organised by the Airport Authority with more than 30 airport-related employers offering over 2,000 openings.
Airport-related jobs are expected to increase to 123,000 by 2030, to keep up with traffic volume. There are about 60,000 airport workers now, which means the airport operator has five years to double the workforce.
By the law of supply and demand, it’s very easy to blame employers for not offering competitive pay.
Under the labour import scheme for the aviation industry, median monthly salaries for passenger service officers, customer service agents and aircraft tug drivers are HK$17,400, HK$18,200 and HK$20,400 respectively.
Going by how much some graduates are earning, these wages do not seem too low.
So what’s wrong? I have a theory. I still remember when the airport had to be relocated from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok, it was a challenge getting the existing airport staff to stay because the new airport was considered too far away from the city.
I tested my theory by taking a few of my students to the job fair. Although the new airport has been up and running for 26 years, my students still felt hesitant about applying for airport jobs because of the long commute.
So what can be done about it? A more generous travel allowance might help, but it’s not really a long-term solution. From a talent management perspective, attracting new blood is one approach. Another approach is to do a better job of retaining talent; a lower turnover of staff would alleviate the pressure to fill so many vacancies.
Employers have become quite creative in promoting wellness.
For example, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited is offering free massages to employees, Cathay Pacific offers discounted air tickets, and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) is promoting diversity and inclusion.
Money and transport are factors in jobseekers’ decisions. But if organisations also have a strong reputation for employee welfare, this may be the next battleground in the competition for talent.
Roy Ying, senior lecturer, Department of Marketing, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
What do two projects tell us about Hong Kong?
In connection with the article, “More arts venues needed in Hong Kong, industry leaders say after culture blueprint” (November 27), your correspondent makes some good points about the shortage of suitable performance venues (“Secure Hong Kong’s spot on the global cultural stage”, December 27).
It is deplorable that the development of the West Kowloon project has limped along since its inception many years ago, and it has only been possible to complete a portion of it as envisaged.
Every time it runs into financial problems a new “solution” is found, which might again fail. Considering the emphasis on Hong Kong’s image on the world stage, that stage suitable for the world should be promptly built with accompanying hotels and accommodation. As a performer myself, I have watched the West Kowloon project with growing dismay and considering Hong Kong’s usual get-up-and-go attitude, I am astonished at the lack of progress.
I contrast the enthusiasm and success with which the Kai Tak Sports Park was envisaged and then built with the West Kowloon project, and wonder why culture is always a non-starter here, compared to sports.
David Gwilt, Sai Kung
Some patient suggestions for improving the city’s healthcare
As a Hongkonger, I am pleased to learn about the plan to restructure health services and resources to better serve the community. It is evident that healthcare workers, particularly those in the public sector, are under significant pressure due to long-standing manpower shortages in Hong Kong.
Based on my personal experience in a ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, here are some points to be considered in expanding, improving or reforming healthcare services.
When wards are overcrowded, with beds placed too closely together, it limits patients’ mobility and privacy. It also means healthcare workers have to monitor a high number of patients in a single ward.
Inadequate shower facilities make it challenging for patients to have showers safely and comfortably while in hospital.
Crowding in the Accident and Emergency department means patients’ beds might be placed near each other’s, potentially compromising privacy when medical issues or test results are disclosed during consultations.
In addition, speaking from my own experience, there is also a danger of misdiagnosis.
To address these challenges, it is crucial to ensure that A&E doctors receive comprehensive training and support. Using artificial intelligence (AI) or computer systems to help diagnose patients’ conditions could provide an additional layer of accuracy and mitigate human errors that might arise due to the demanding nature of the job. Human judgment, when a doctor is under pressure or has a huge caseload, may have limitations that technology can help overcome.
I hope the government will consider these suggestions, in enhancing healthcare for the benefit of both healthcare workers and patients in Hong Kong.
Emma Wong, Hung Hom


Amount of drugs found on air passengers in Hong Kong last year up by 244% over 2019

Chinese autonomous-driving tech firm Pony.ai eyes robotaxi services in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Cathay, Singapore Airlines climb regional punctuality ranking

Hong Kong’s air passenger traffic soars to pre-pandemic levels over Christmas

Hong Kong International Airport

Getting people to work at Hong Kong airport is not just a numbers game

A plane takes off from Hong Kong International Airport on November 27. Airport-related jobs are expected to increase to 123,000 by 2030, to keep up with traffic volume. Photo: AP 

Kai Tak Sports Park will revitalise its neighbourhood. Just watch

Illustration: Craig Stephens

The Olympic stadium in London, shown on March 27, 2012, is credited with helping revive the historically deprived neighbourhood of Stratford. Photo: Reuters

A man passes a picture of a man working out on a gate in Kennedy Town on August 17. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

How Hong Kong can take arts and culture to the next level

A fan takes a selfie with a cardboard cutout of opera master Lo Ka-ying at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on June 5. Photo: Jelly Tse

Opinion

Readers discuss the importance of employee welfare, what the West Kowloon and Kai Tak projects reveal about Hong Kong, and how to improve the city’s healthcare


Readers discuss the importance of employee welfare, what the West Kowloon and Kai Tak projects reveal about Hong Kong, and how to improve the city’s healthcare.


Hong Kong aviation

West Kowloon Cultural District

Kai Tak Sports Park

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Letters | Getting people to work at Hong Kong airport is not just a numbers game

Readers discuss the importance of employee welfare, what the West Kowloon and Kai Tak projects reveal about Hong Kong, and how to improve the city’s healthcare