The Hong Kong government has said it is open to making a controversial labour importation scheme permanent, with tighter hiring rules for the catering industry and stiffer penalties for non-compliant employers to take effect on Tuesday. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said on Monday that the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), launched in September 2023 for 26 low-skilled job categories, would be amended following an extensive review and remain in effect. “Have we made the...

A lightning strike at a Hong Kong swimming pool has prompted calls for mandatory closures of outdoor public venues during thundery weather and stronger protection measures. One day after the incident on Saturday, experts told the South China Morning Post that extra caution was needed at venues such as swimming pools because water was highly conductive and lightning-protection systems were not foolproof. On Saturday morning, while a thunderstorm warning was in force, lightning struck a diving...