Adverse whether conditions that have brought much of China 's new year festivities to a grinding halt over the past week and are estimated to have cost the economy CNY54 bil, are causing an FM headache for many manufacturing facilities. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) issued an urgent notice on January 30th to its 4,000 members urging those with facilities in the Pearl River Delta region to reopen dormitories for migrant workers, stranded at transportation hubs across the region.

"There are nearly 60,000 enterprises in the region that are owned by Hong Kong businessmen, employing about nine million workers," said Alex Fong, Chief Executive, HKGCC, "we call for member's to reopen their dormitories for staff and provide them with necessary assistance during this period." Two days later, the HKGCC announced they had raised HK$500,000 for resources such as food, water, blankets and temporary accommodation for those stricken by the worst snow storms in China in 50 years.

According to Ivan Lui, Head of Technical- China , Synergis Property Management, comprehensive procedures take place in the run up to golden week, when China 's manufacturing facilities traditionally lie dormant. The shut-down and start-up plan will include maintenance schedules and audits, and a security and resource management procedures for the week.

"To re-open the dorms," Lui says, "all necessary facilities including power, water (especially drinking water and hot water), will have to be restarted." This will also necessitate the resumption of property management services including cleaning, security, maintenance and medical services." Although for many facilities labour resources may be tight, Lui believes that "There should be local staff to maintain minimum services with triple pay for golden week period." Besides water, power, heating, and FM services, additional costs for the week could include food and transportation. RFP