As severe snowstorms hit mainland China, rail and land transport before the Chinese New Year is badly hampered and a large number of workers from other provinces are stranded in Guangdong. The FHKI is deeply concerned, as among the workers affected are many employees of Hong Kong-owned manufacturers. On Tuesday, the FHKI called upon its members to keep their employee dormitories open during the holidays and ensure a safe and merry festival for their workers.
FHKI purchased 100,000 packs of biscuits yesterday and has delivered them to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government today for distribution among stranded workers.
A survey with FHKI's members with factories in the Mainland has found that those with a larger pool of workers, such as toy and mould factories, estimated 30% to 80% of their workers would stay at the factories for the holiday. All the manufacturers interviewed noted that they would open their dormitories to workers and provide them with meals. Some would even offer additional dishes on the first three days of the new year, or decorate their factories and dormitories and arrange for celebration to add to the joy of the festive season. Some manufacturers will have their management stay at the factories to take care of their stranded staff.
As most factories in Guangdong will start their holiday tomorrow (February 1), more workers will likely flock to the land transport stations then, adding to the burden on the transport system. FHKI members noted that they had called upon their staff to stay at the factories during the holiday, a gesture that may help relieve the pressure on the transport network.
