Report Of Toilets Revamp Fails To Please Cleaners

The Financial Secretary is expected to allocate HK$500 million for the renovation and upkeep of public toilets across Hong Kong, but there is one group which is not too pleased with the idea – toilet cleaners.

They say along with the revamp, the government should consider raising their salaries too.

A quarter of the almost 800 public toilets across Hong Kong will get a facelift under the expected proposal in Paul Chan's annual budget which will be presented on Wednesday. Another 200 toilets may see their ventilation and hygiene conditions improved over the next few years.

It is understood that toilets in busy locations such as tourists spots will be given priority. Those in Wan Chai Market, Southorn Playground and Yau Ma Tei Market are also expected to be included.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department now manages 799 public toilets across Hong Kong, while the cleaning work is carried out by contractors.

The wages and benefits of toilet cleaners have recently come under the spotlight after a photo circulated on the internet showed a cleaner was having his meal in the toilet.

One 60-year-old supervisor who's in charge of a group of toilet cleaners said he hopes there will be a staff room with a separate ventilation system in new toilets when the revamps are done.

He also said most workers are now earning around HK$9,000 a month and that's too low to attract people to take up the job.

Some trade unionists also suggest that the government should introduce a special subsidy for toilet cleaners as they are doing such unpleasant work.