The Hong Kong Fire Services Department Staffs General Association warned on Thursday it will take action if the government fails to respond to workers demands for reduced hours of work.

The association proposed limiting the work week to 48 hours, a six-hour weekly reduction from the current 54 hours.

Fire services staff have the longest working hours among all governmental departments.

The warning was made during an internal assembly that more than 1,000 off-duty firefighters attended.

Members of the association said they may take to the street or stage a sit-in if the authorities do not meet the request.

Meanwhile, the association pledged that it will make sure services to citizens will not be interrupted by any industrial action.

The request for lower working hours has been on file for 21 years. But no administration has taken steps to improve the situation, the association said, adding that staff members "have reached their limit to remain rational in asking for the benefit".

Members also complained that it is not fair that other disciplined service departments are not required to work as many hours.

They also said that the reduction of working hours will help the department to offer better and more efficient service to the citizens.

"(The long hours of working) have been affecting the morale of the firefighters. The government has not paid enough respect to the staff members," said Lee Tak-kei, president of the association.

Lee said that the association will collect opinions from its members in the coming week and demand a response from the Security Bureau.

The matter will also be raised and discussed in the Legislative Council in November.

On the government's side, there has been concern that fire service may become inconsistent if working hours are shortened, considering the department is short-staffed, according to Tse Sau-lung, vice-president of the association.

There are also technical problems to shorten working hours without adversely affecting services.

"The Fire Services Department is different from other disciplined service departments. The service pretty much relies on human resources, while the Immigration Department, for example, can rely on the Automated Passenger Clearance System, and the Customs and Excise Department can rely on X-ray," Tse explained.

However, Tse said the government has to come up with a solution, either by injecting more resources or hiring more people.

andrea@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/23/2011 page1)