Hong Kong helpers urge employers to relax ‘air-con ban’ in heatwave

Domestic workers in Hong Kong are frequently prohibited from using air conditioning when working alone at home, according to union leaders. They are urging employers to permit helpers to use air conditioning during the current intense heatwave. This issue gained public attention last week when an employer faced online criticism for reprimanding her domestic helper for turning on the air conditioner earlier than permitted by household rules. The Hong Kong Observatory has forecast persistently high temperatures throughout the week, with Friday expected to be extremely hot, reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in urban areas.