Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about the work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan yesterday (March 11), in which a male worker, while riding on a ladder to repair a split-type air-conditioner, fell from the ladder onto the ground when the condenser of the air-conditioner suddenly exploded. He sustained serious head injury and passed away today (March 12) in the hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and has expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim’s family.
 
     The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced immediate on-site investigation yesterday as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractor suspending the use of ladder, and the repair and maintenance work of split-type air-conditioner in the premises. The contractor cannot resume the work process until LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risk have been taken.”
 
     The spokesman added, “We will complete investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”
 
     The general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, safe plant and safe systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     In regard to yesterday’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
 
     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
 
     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the GS1 HK 30th Anniversary Dinner today (March 12):
 
Kelvin (Vice Chairman of GS1 Hong Kong, Dr Kelvin Leung), Anna (The Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong, Ms Anna Lin), 劉部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Yajun), government colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening.
 
     It is a great pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate with you the 30th anniversary of GS1 Hong Kong.
 
     GS1 got its start in 1989, as the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association, introducing global barcode standards to Hong Kong. Today, I’m told, barcodes are scanned some 6 billion times a day, enabling companies, here in Hong Kong and all over the world to bring efficiency to their supply chains.

     Hong Kong has long taken pride in ensuring a level playing field for business. GS1 Hong Kong, I’m pleased to say, has been instrumental in levelling our playing field.

     The non-profit standards organisation counts some 8 000 corporate members in nearly 20 industries, from consumer goods and food services to healthcare, logistics, information technology and more. On top of boosting supply chain efficiency, GS1 offers advice and support, and helps transform companies through innovative solutions and new technologies.

     This evening’s theme, “30 Years of Success”, says it all.

     Over these last three decades, Hong Kong has thrived as well, transforming from a regional manufacturing hub into a leading global financial and logistics centre.

     Over the past few years, we have also been emerging as a regional innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

     Since the establishment of the Innovation and Technology Bureau in November 2015, the Government has committed about $130 billion towards I&T initiatives and programmes. And we’re just getting going.

     Consider, for example, the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong. Since the document’s release in December 2017, we have been working on more than 70 initiatives outlined in the Blueprint.

     We are, I’m pleased to note, making good progress, particularly in the digital transformation of Hong Kong. Next year, we will launch an electronic identity (eID) programme for all Hong Kong residents. The eID will serve as a single digital authentication, enabling individuals to conduct government and commercial transactions online, simply, conveniently and securely.

     Down the digital road, eID will promote the development of such emerging sectors as e-commerce, digital trade and online payment.

     Open data is pivotal to the realisation of the smart city. Under the new open-data policy, government bureaux and departments will release data through our open data portal, to be used freely by the public, unless, of course, there are valid reasons not to; say, to protect privacy. The number of open datasets will increase to nearly 4 000 by the end of this year from about 3 300 now.

     By mid-year, we will also begin to install smart lampposts in select areas. Equipped with sensors and Internet of Things devices, they will capture traffic, weather and other real-time city data for analysis and better city management. Such data will also be open to the public free of charge.

     And there’s much more innovation and technology on the way. The Smart Government Innovation Lab will be launched in April to strengthen co-ordination and promotion of the use of I&T products and solutions in the Government. Through the Lab, local SMEs and start-ups will be invited to submit proposals for I&T applications and products for different public services.

     At every smart step of the way, I know we can count on GS1 Hong Kong for standards-based services and solutions that connect government, business and the Hong Kong community. In doing so, GS1 Hong Kong optimises efficiency, creating value, and helping us all excel.

     I wish you all a wonderful evening and record-setting standards, professionally and personally, in the year to come.

     Thank you. read more

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Southern District today (March 12) to keep abreast of the latest development in the district. She also met with District Council members during her visit.    &… read more

     In response to media enquiries on Boeing B737 MAX aircraft, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (March 12) responded as follows:

     There are no Boeing B737 aircraft (including the B737 MAX) registered in Hong Kong. Holders of Air Operator’s Certificate (airlines) in Hong Kong mainly use locally registered aircraft. For non-locally registered aircraft, according to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the State of Registry of the aircraft should ensure the aircraft’s safety standards and operation in accordance with ICAO’s requirements.

     With regard to non-locally registered aircraft operating to and from Hong Kong, it is to the CAD’s understanding that SpiceJet of India and Globus Airlines of Russia may currently use B737 MAX aircraft to operate flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport. The CAD is contacting the airlines concerned to understand their aircraft assignments. In addition, Garuda Indonesia of Indonesia and MIAT Mongolian Airlines of Mongolia have used B737 MAX aircraft for flights to and from Hong Kong. The civil aviation authorities concerned have suspended their locally registered B737 MAX aircraft from operation. Passengers may consult their airlines on individual flight arrangements.

     As the Federation Aviation Administration of the United States (the type-certification authority of B737 MAX aircraft) affirms the airworthiness of B737 MAX aircraft and the investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines accident is still ongoing, the CAD will closely monitor the developments, the investigation progress and the information of relevant aviation authorities. read more

     A man was fined $20,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (March 12) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in June last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Hollywood Road in Central which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).
      
     The OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Also, the club’s staff failed to show a copy of the certificate of fire service installation and equipment, the registered drawing and the updated membership register upon the OLA officers’ request. Conditions 10, 17, 19 and 20 of the CoC were breached.
      
     The man, being the CoC holder of the club, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
      
     A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations. read more