Committed crew: Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong commends one of the many dedicated lifeguards who ignored the strike and reported for duty.

Despite the industrial action taken by the Hong Kong & Kowloon Life Guards' Union, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department managed to open 31 swimming pools, 23 beaches and four water activities centres today.

Visiting several pools, Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong praised the lifeguards who reported for duty, for standing firm to their posts. Ms Wong also thanked the Life Saving Society and the Auxiliary Medical Services for their assistance in enabling services at pools and beaches, and minimising the effect of the lifeguards' strike.

Only 246 of the 1,193 lifeguards scheduled to work today reported for duty. The department deployed 90 honorary lifeguards and 185 Auxiliary Medical Services members.

Ms Wong apologised for the closure of some swimming facilities, and hoped the union could express its demands in ways that do not affect the public. She added that the management is ready to discuss matters of concern with the union.

Strike unnecessary: Joseph Wong

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said the Government respects workers' rights to take industrial action and will not discipline them, however the strike was unnecessary and groundless.

He said the department has been in talks with the union to review the lifeguard establishment and study the mechanism for working out salary levels for temporary contract lifeguards.

Lifeguards can continue their work and discuss future arrangements simultaneously, noting their salaries are already above market price and that contracts have been signed with the full agreement of both sides.

Contract terms, salaries will not be altered

Mr Wong said: "Irrespective of what action some of the lifeguards would take to disrupt the service to the public, the Government will absolutely not alter the terms of these contracts and adjust the salaries."

Mr Wong hopes the lifeguards understand the situation and resume work as soon as possible.

Mr Wong said administrative action, like not paying lifeguards for the periods they where absent from duty, may be considered.