The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, (August 10), 2018 is 104.4 (up 0.4 against yesterday's index).

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 10) announced the revocation of the Public Subscription Permit in respect of a territory-wide flag day issued to the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf (HKAD).

     An SWD spokesman said that the department had served a notice on the HKAD on July 16 notifying the HKAD of the Director of Social Welfare's intention to revoke the Public Subscription Permit in respect of the territory-wide flag day to be held on September 8, 2018. The organisation could submit written representation to the Director of Social Welfare within 14 days.

     The SWD has received the HKAD's written representation. After careful consideration, the Director of Social Welfare has decided to revoke the above-mentioned Public Subscription Permit. The SWD has notified the Association today that the revocation of the Public Subscription Permit will take immediate effect.

     Thirty-nine convictions were recorded in July 2018 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

     Five of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, six were under the Noise Control Ordinance, 27 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, and one was under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.

     The heaviest fine in July was $25,000, assessed against a construction company for using powered mechanical equipment without a valid construction noise permit.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 10) announced that the department collected eight liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in July 2018 for laboratory tests. The results showed that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.

     The detailed test results are available on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/sgi/lpg_smpl_analysis.shtml). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD's hotline on 2333 3762.

     In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (August 10) launched a public consultation on the proposal to publish records of conviction, revocation/refusal of renewal of licence and written warnings of employment agencies (EAs) on the department's EA Portal (www.eaa.labour.gov.hk).

     A spokesman for LD said, "To enhance transparency and facilitate public access to EAs' track records, LD plans to publish the relevant records on the EA Portal so that job-seekers (including foreign domestic helpers) and employers can avoid falling prey to unscrupulous EAs or EAs without a valid licence when engaging EA services. The enhanced transparency would also help foster the adoption of good practices by EAs and raise the service standard of the industry."

     It is proposed that the following three lists be published on the EA Portal:

     (a) a list of EAs convicted of the offence(s) of overcharging or unlicensed operation in the past 24 months;

     (b) a list of EAs whose licences were revoked/refused renewal in the past 12 months; and 

     (c) a list of EAs which were issued written warnings for non-compliance with the Code of Practice for EAs in the past 12 months.

     "The records on convictions and revocation/refusal of renewal of licences of EAs are currently available on the EA Portal in the form of press releases and/or gazette notices. Publishing the lists would better facilitate members of the public, especially job-seekers and employers who do not have much experience in engaging EA services, to access these records. Moreover, the publication of written warnings would better enable members of the public to make informed decisions when engaging EA services and enhance protection for them," the spokesman added.

     The consultation paper setting out the details of the proposal is available on the EA Portal at www.eaa.labour.gov.hk. Members of the public may send in their views on the proposal by email (eaa-consultation@labour.gov.hk), by fax (2115 3756) or by post (Employment Agencies Administration of Labour Department, Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon) on or before September 7, 2018. For more information, please visit the EA Portal or call the Employment Agencies Administration's hotline at 2115 3667.