31st January 2020 – (Hong Kong) Many Hospital Authority staff are dissatisfied with the government for failing to seal off entry points between Hong Kong and mainland China. They planned to go on strike on 3rd February. Frontline medical staff at ICU and Surgery Department of Prince William Hospital issued an open letter to urge the government to stop all mainland Chinese visitors from entering the city via its border control points. They also demanded sufficient protective measures in compliance with international standard to be given to frontline medical staff when treating patients.
HA Employees alliance and other trade unions held a joint media conference this afternoon to announce the strike. They claimed that around 6,500 medical staff have agreed to participate in the strike. Nurses make up of 70% of the total while doctors and other support staff consist of 8% of the total. 30% of the medical staff who will go on strike on 3rd February comprises non-emergency employees. The remaining 70% medical staff who are in emergency services will go on strike from 4th February onwards. The strike will last for five days.
A members meeting will be held by trade unions tomorrow to decide if the strike will go on. 14,000 members are expected to cast their votes. They further said that the Hospital Authority got in touch with them earlier and invited them to talk about the strike on 4th February. However, only 1 hour was given.