LCSD's 122 Million Outsourcing of 6 Pool Lifeguard Services Sparks Union Criticism
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has awarded a three-year contract worth 122.8 million yuan to outsource lifeguard services at six public swimming pools, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the Hong Kong and Kowloon Lifeguards Staff Union. Union officials argue the spending is unjustified, pointing out that winter manpower needs could be met by redeploying approximately 80 regular lifeguards who were transferred elsewhere following the outsourcing. LCSD maintains the measure is necessary due to ongoing recruitment difficulties in the lifeguard industry.
Key Points
- LCSD signed a three-year outsourcing contract with Bo Yi Ti Yun Limited for lifeguard services at six specified public swimming pools, totaling 122,788,215 yuan
- The six pools—Hong Kong East, Tai Kok Tsui, Lam Tin, Tung Cheung Street, Tsing Yi Southwest, and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai—are year-round "four-season" facilities
- Approximately 80 regular lifeguards were transferred to other venues after their positions were outsourced; the union contends they could have been redeployed back during winter when these pools face no staffing shortages
- The Audit Commission's June 2025 report noted that LCSD has "excess manpower" in winter and recommended better scheduling of lifeguard workloads
- Last year, all Hong Kong lifeguards' combined overtime expenses reached approximately 10 million yuan, whereas the annual outsourcing cost for these six pools alone is about 40 million yuan—four times higher
- LCSD stated the contract price increase reflects tight market supply, competitive wages required to attract lifeguards, and rising inflation affecting operational costs
- The department emphasized that over the past two years, all six pools operated smoothly with full facilities open and no closures due to lifeguard shortages
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights a fundamental tension between fiscal prudence and service stability: while LCSD argues outsourcing guarantees uninterrupted pool operations amid industry-wide recruitment challenges, the union's calculations suggest the government is paying a substantial premium when existing civil servant lifeguards could fill the gap seasonally. With the three-year contract now in force, the dispute is set to intensify ahead of the next contract review, potentially shaping broader debates about public service outsourcing policy in Hong Kong .
The controversy highlights a fundamental tension between fiscal prudence and service stability: while LCSD argues outsourcing guarantees uninterrupted pool operations amid industry-wide recruitment challenges, the union's calculations suggest the government is paying a substantial premium when existing civil servant lifeguards could fill the gap seasonally. With the three-year contract now in force, the dispute is set to intensify ahead of the next contract review, potentially shaping broader debates about public service outsourcing policy in Hong Kong .