Employers and employees should unite to set hygiene standards for the workplace and adopt good housekeeping practices to create a safe and hygienic work environment.

This was the message from Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung today, speaking at the Good Housekeeping Promotional Campaign 2003 - Workplace Hygiene Charter Signing Ceremony.

He said SARS made a big impact on Hong Kong and other parts of the world, affecting our health, social life and community and economic development.

To prevent SARS, he said the Government has drawn up plans to improve environmental hygiene.

HK must spare no effort to keep city clean

Apart from stepping up law enforcement and strengthening publicity and civic education, Team Clean has been set up to raise community awareness of personal hygiene and health.

"The improvement we have achieved is for all the world to see," he said.

Mr Cheung added we all should spare no effort in keeping the environment clean to maintain our reputation as a hygienic and healthy place for business.

Employers, employees must act together

He said employers can draw up hygiene standards for the workplace and adopt good housekeeping to raise employee awareness, adding that a safe and hygienic workplace can be established through the concerted efforts of employers and employees.

Jointly organised by the Occupational Safety & Health Council and Government departments, the Good Housekeeping Promotional Campaign aims to promote the importance of keeping the workplace clean.

It also ties in with the Clean Hong Kong Campaign to establish a safer and more hygienic work environment.

Charter a milestone that marks a pledge

Today's signing ceremony is one of the campaign events. Over 200 companies from different industries and trades signed the Workplace Hygiene Charter. This is a milestone marking the pledge undertaken by both management personnel and employees to help establish a hygienic and healthy work environment, he said.

"Although the charter is not a legal document, it demonstrates that both employers and employees are concerned about the environment and are willing to share their responsibilities in keeping it clean. This commitment is more meaningful than a legal document."

Mr Cheung urged all employers, employees and management staff of the companies signing the charter to cultivate good hygiene in the workplace.