Airport ground staff unions in Hong Kong are requesting the government and the airport management improve safety measures for staff handling cargos from Japan.
According to the Asia News Network, the unions claimed their request was not properly addressed by the Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Department. As a result, they will not rule out the possibility to refuse to handle cargos from Japan if their work attire does not change. (WCxKit)
Hong Kong Airport Ramp Services Employment Union, Hong Kong Cargo Terminals Employees Union and the Staff and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines recently held a joint media conference condemning the inadequate safety measures to protect approximately 10,000 workers dealing with ramp services against contamination from arriving cargos.
Concerns of radiation contamination mounted among the ground crews charged with unloading 90,000 tons of cargo coming in on board 30 flights from Japan every day.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department claims that the present radiation detecting process was designed by the department and the ground services operators following discussion. But the department is open to other handling methods when necessary, he adds. (WCxKit)
Along with exchanging work procedures of ground crews and the Customs officers and providing sufficient safety measures, the union is calling on the government to request the Japanese government to be sure all cargos coming to the city are void of contamination.
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