Hong Kong authorities are looking into complaints about new government-supplied shoes after a lifeguard union received more than 100 reports of discomfort or foot injuries, becoming the second procurement issue to be raised in recent weeks.

The Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guard’s Union earlier revealed that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department had previously switched from shoes provided by global sportswear company Mizuno to a new, lesser-known brand called “JWS”, despite its objections

Union chairman Ching Hoi-ting said on Wednesday that his organisation had received more than 100 complaints from lifeguards who had experienced discomfort after wearing the cheaper shoes.

“Some of them have reported experiencing heel or foot pain, blisters, plantar fasciitis and knee pain,” he told a radio programme.

“A few months ago, union members were invited to try on two pairs of the shoes. They found that the rebound and comfort levels were subpar and immediately informed the department that the shoes did not meet the required standards, requesting a change. But the department did not heed their feedback.”

Ching said that some lifeguards had stopped wearing the shoes, adding that the union had not received a reply from the department to a request to recall all such footwear and source more suitable shoes.