Author Archives: hksar gov

     Can Build Management Limited and its two directors were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages to employees and defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT). The company and its directors earlier pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts and were sentenced today (December 28). The company was fined a total of $610,000, while its directors were each fined $610,000 and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment suspended for three years.

     The company failed to pay five employees the awarded sum totalling about $1,500,000 within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award in accordance with the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company also failed to pay one employee her wages and payment in lieu of notice within seven days after the termination of employment. The two directors were convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.  

     “The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages and termination payments to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and the awarded sums according to the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board,” a spokesman for the LD said.

      “The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added. read more

     A woman was fined $8,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts today (December 28) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in June this year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Tin Lung Road in Tin Shui Wai. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.
      
     According to the OLA’s record, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The woman responsible for managing the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.
      
     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
           
     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application “Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses”. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session after attending the "Opportunities for Youth Development in the Greater Bay Area" Youth… read more

     The Government today (December 28) announced the appointment of four new members and the re-appointment of three incumbent members to the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee (BLPSC) for a term of two years with effect from J… read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 28) reminded the public to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements to be implemented on New Year’s Eve (December 31) to facilitate holiday celebrations. Members of the public are urged to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion.
 
     Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from late afternoon on New Year’s Eve in districts including Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom. Road closure arrangements have already been put in place in the vicinity of Victoria Park for the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo. Roads in the vicinity of these areas are busier than usual during the holiday. Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport, avoid driving to busy areas and stay alert to the latest traffic news.
 
     The TD reminds pedestrians to pay attention to road safety during the festive holiday by observing traffic light signals and walking on the pavement. Pedestrians should be considerate, patient and follow the advice or instructions given by the Police. Motorists are advised to drive with care and patience, especially in busy areas. They should also be aware that on-street parking spaces will be suspended due to road closures and traffic diversion arrangements.
 
     The MTR Island Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tseung Kwan O Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (except to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau), Ma On Shan Line, West Rail Line, South Island Line and Light Rail Routes 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 705, 706, 751 and 761P will operate around the clock on December 31.
 
     Some bus and minibus services will be extended or augmented on New Year’s Eve. Hong Kong Tramways and the Central to Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system will also provide extended services.
 
     It is expected that many passengers will travel via the land boundary control points during the New Year holiday period. Passengers are advised to plan in advance and make their journeys during non-peak hours. As the waiting time for cross-boundary public transport services may be longer than usual if traffic is busy at the control points, passengers should maintain order and heed advice from the Police and on-site staff of the public transport service operators. They are also advised to keep track of the latest traffic news.
 
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor local and cross-boundary traffic during the holidays and take appropriate action as necessary.
 
     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements on New Year’s Eve are available at the department’s website (www.td.gov.hk). read more