Key facts
- Domestic workers in Hong Kong are frequently banned from using air conditioning when working alone.
- Union leaders are urging employers to permit AC use during hot weather.
- The issue gained prominence after an employer faced criticism for restricting AC use.
- An intense heatwave is currently affecting Hong Kong.
Domestic workers in Hong Kong are often subject to strict household rules, including prohibitions on using air conditioning when working alone. This practice has come under scrutiny during an intense heatwave, with union leaders advocating for more lenient policies from employers. The debate was amplified by a widely criticized incident where an employer reportedly reprimanded their domestic helper for activating the air conditioning earlier than permitted by household rules. The Hong Kong Observatory has indicated that high temperatures are expected to persist.