The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 26) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 18 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
      
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 21 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: https://www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf
 

Overall wage and payroll statistics

     According to the figures released today (June 26) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measured by the wage index, increased by 4.0% in nominal terms in March 2018 over a year earlier.

     About 68% of the companies reported increase in average wage rates in March 2018 compared with a year ago. 27% of the companies recorded decrease in average wage rates over the same period. The remaining 5% reported virtually no change in average wage rates.

     After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the overall average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed increased by 1.2% in real terms in March 2018 over a year earlier.

     As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged for all the industry sections surveyed increased by 3.8% in nominal terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier.

     After discounting the changes in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index, the average payroll per person engaged increased by 1.3% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 compared with a year earlier.

     The wage rate includes basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses. Payroll includes elements covered by wage rate as well as other irregular payments to workers such as discretionary bonuses and overtime allowances. The payroll statistics therefore tend to show relatively larger quarter-to-quarter changes, affected by the number of hours actually worked and the timing of payment of bonuses and back-pay.

Sectoral changes

     For the nominal wage indices, year-on-year increases ranging from 3.1% to 4.9% were recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2018.

     For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases ranging from 0.4% to 2.1% were recorded in all selected industry sections in March 2018.

     The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real wage indices for the selected industry sections from March 2017 to March 2018 are shown in Table 1.

     As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases ranging from 2.8% to 4.8% were recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2018.

     For the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases ranging from 0.3% to 2.3% were recorded in all selected industry sections in the first quarter of 2018.

     The year-on-year changes in the nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged for selected industry sections from the first quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018 are shown in Table 2. The quarterly changes in the seasonally adjusted nominal and real indices of payroll per person engaged between the first quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 are shown in Table 3.

Commentary

     A Government spokesman noted that overall nominal wages registered a slightly faster year-on-year increase in March 2018, on the back of robust economic growth and the progressive tightening of the labour market over the past year. Wages of lower-paid workers continued to see more appreciable growth.

     Payroll per person engaged, which covers discretionary bonuses and other irregular payments, sustained solid and broad-based year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2018. Among the major industries, more notable rises in payroll were seen in accommodation and food service activities, professional and business services, as well as real estate activities.

     The spokesman added that the generally sanguine economic situation and positive hiring sentiment should bode well for the overall earnings situation in the near term. The Government will nevertheless monitor various external uncertainties and their potential impact on the local labour market closely.

Other information

     Both wage indices and payroll indices are compiled quarterly based on the results of the Labour Earnings Survey conducted by the C&SD.

     Wage statistics are conceptually different from the payroll statistics. Firstly, wage rate for an employee refers to the sum earned for his normal hours of work. It covers basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses, but excludes earnings from overtime work and discretionary bonuses, which are however included in payroll per person engaged. Secondly, the payroll index of an industry is an indicator of the simple average payroll received per person engaged in the industry. Its movement is therefore affected by changes in wage rates, number of hours of work and occupational composition in the industry. In contrast, the wage index of an industry is devised to reflect the pure changes in wage rate, with the occupational composition between two successive statistical periods being kept unchanged. In other words, the wage index reflects the change in the price of labour. Thirdly, wage index only covers employees up to the supervisory level (i.e. not including managerial and professional employees), whereas payroll index covers employees at all levels and proprietors actively engaged in the work of the establishment. Because of these conceptual and enumeration differences between payroll and wage statistics, the movements in payroll indices and in wage indices do not necessarily match closely with each other.

     It should also be noted that different consumer price indices are used for compiling the real indices of wage and payroll to take into account the differences in their respective occupation coverage. Specifically, the Composite Consumer Price Index, being an indicator of overall consumer prices, is taken as the price deflator for payroll of workers at all levels of the occupational hierarchy. The Consumer Price Index (A), being an indicator of consumer prices for the relatively low expenditure group, is taken as the price deflator for wages in respect of employees engaged in occupations up to the supervisory level.

     Detailed breakdowns of the payroll and wage statistics are published in the "Quarterly Report of Wage and Payroll Statistics, March 2018". Users can download this publication free of charge from the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp210.jsp?productCode=B1050009).

     For enquiries on wage and payroll statistics, please contact the Wages and Labour Costs Statistics Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5550 or email: wage@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 26) the external merchandise trade statistics for May 2018. In May 2018, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 15.9% and 16.5% respectively.

     In May 2018, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.9% over a year earlier to $351.4 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 8.1% in April 2018. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 16.5% over a year earlier to $394.6 billion in May 2018, after a year-on-year increase of 11.1% in April 2018. A visible trade deficit of $43.2 billion, equivalent to 11.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2018.

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods rose by 10.7% over the same period in 2017. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.9%. A visible trade deficit of $219.8 billion, equivalent to 11.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2018. 

     Comparing the three-month period ending May 2018 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 3.5%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 4.0%.

Analysis by country/territory

     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 15.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+43.9%), Malaysia (+43.6%), the Philippines (+25.5%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+19.2%), Thailand (+18.6%) and Japan (+13.0%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (-21.7%) and Taiwan (-1.9%).

     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular Germany (+16.7%), the USA (+12.5%) and the United Kingdom (+6.7%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Malaysia (+69.7%), Korea (+44.1%), Taiwan (+22.3%), Singapore (+20.3%), the Philippines (+18.8%) and the Mainland (+18.4%). Concurrently, a decrease was registered in the value of imports from India (-39.5%).

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+16.9%), the Mainland (+14.0%), Germany (+12.8%), Taiwan (+12.2%), the USA (+9.4%) and Thailand (+7.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports to India (-20.9%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Malaysia (+91.2%), Korea (+21.8%), Taiwan (+18.1%), the Philippines (+10.4%), the Mainland (+10.4%) and Singapore (+8.4%). On the other hand, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports from India (-21.4%).

Analysis by major commodity

     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $24.8 billion or 22.8%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $9.8 billion or 32.7%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $5.6 billion or 10.0%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of total exports of "non-metallic mineral manufactures" (by $2.0 billion or -13.2%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $30.3 billion or 25.3%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $10.0 billion or 38.5%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $5.3 billion or 10.0%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of imports of "miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares)" (by $1.3 billion or -5.5%).

     For the first five months of 2018 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $102.5 billion or 20.0%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $32.5 billion or 22.0%) and "miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares)" (by $18.0 billion or 23.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports of "non-metallic mineral manufactures" (by $13.6 billion or -15.9%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $109.9 billion or 18.8%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $35.3 billion or 28.2%) and "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (by $8.0 billion or 27.1%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports of "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $2.3 billion or -0.8%).

Commentary

     A Government spokesman noted that external trade sustained robust performance so far in 2018, thanks to sturdy global demand. Merchandise exports continued to grow strongly over a year earlier in May, with many major markets showing double-digit gains.

     The spokesman commented further that, looking ahead, the current momentum of the global economy should remain supportive to Hong Kong's exports in the near term. Yet, external uncertainties have increased markedly of late, as a result of the escalation of trade conflicts between the US and the Mainland. This might weigh on the prevailing global economic sentiment and trade expansion going forward. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Further information

     Table 1 at the annex presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2018. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2015 to May 2018, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2018 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for May 2018.

     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for May 2018 will be released in mid-July 2018.

     The May 2018 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in May 2018 and will be available in mid-July 2018. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp).

     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5042). 

     As the Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate precautions to prevent heat stroke when working in a hot or humid environment.
 
     Heat stroke could occur if an employee works in a hot or humid environment for prolonged periods of time, as the body may fail to regulate its temperature by effective heat dissipation through sweating.
 
     The early symptoms of heat stroke include feeling thirsty, fatigue, nausea and headache. Later, the victim may experience shortness of breath, rapid and weak pulse, dizziness, confusion or even loss of consciousness and convulsion.
 
     For example, construction workers, cleaning workers, kitchen workers and porters are more prone to heat stroke when working for long hours in such an environment, especially if appropriate preventive measures have not been taken.
 
     The LD reminds employers to arrange for a suitable assessment of the risk of heat stress in the work environment and take appropriate preventive measures. The LD has produced two leaflets entitled "Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Construction Sites" and "Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Outdoor Cleansing Workplaces" respectively. Employers engaged in construction or outdoor cleaning work are advised to refer to these checklists in assessing the risk of heat stress at their workplaces. As for heat stress assessment at a workplace in general, employers can refer to a booklet entitled "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" produced by the LD.
 
     The LD also reminds employers and employees to take the following precautions to prevent heat stroke:
 
Employers
———
(1) Take heed of the weather report and adopt shift work arrangements for employees to reduce their exposure to the hot environment, or arrange appropriate rest breaks for them during very hot periods;
(2) Avoid working under direct sunlight and set up temporary sunshade wherever possible;
(3) Provide cool potable water for employees at all times during work. If necessary, provide drinks containing minerals for employees to replenish loss of electrolytes during profuse sweating;
(4) Minimise physical demands by using tools or mechanical aids at work;
(5) Increase air flow by enhancing ventilation or air-conditioning as appropriate;
(6) Isolate heat-generating facilities at the workplace and use insulating materials to minimise heat dissipation to the other work areas; and
(7) Provide relevant information and training for employees on heat stroke such as preventive measures and first aid treatment.
 
Employees
———
(1) Wear clothing made of suitable materials (for example, cotton) that is loose-fitting and light-coloured to help heat dissipation, minimise heat absorption and allow sweat evaporation;
(2) Wear a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors;
(3) Drink plenty of water or other appropriate beverages to replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating; and
(4) Whenever there are any symptoms of heat stroke, inform supervisors and take appropriate actions immediately.
 
     Some employees may have difficulty in adapting to a hot working environment owing to their own health conditions. Employers should take this into account and consider the recommendations of their doctors when assigning work to these employees.
 
     In addition to the publications on risk assessment, the LD has produced a leaflet entitled "Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment" for the public. The publications can be obtained free of charge from the offices of the Occupational Health Service of the LD, or downloaded from the department's webpage at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_9.htm.
 
     The LD organises occupational health talks in public places and at its own training venues regularly to raise employers' and employees' awareness of occupational health. Details of health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in a hot environment in July to September are as follows:
 
(A)
Dates: July 9 and 24; August 2, 13 and 30; and September 13 and 24 (am)
July 5, 20 and 30; August 8 and 22; and September 5, 20 and 27 (pm)
Time: Half-day
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department, 13/F, Kolour·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
 
(B)
Dates: July 13 and 27 and August 10 and 20
Time: Half-day, morning
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the Labour Department, G/F,
Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong
(MTR Kwun Tong Station Exit A1)
 
(C)
Date: August 13
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E)
 
(D)
Date: July 16 and September 14
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Activity Room I, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
(Opposite Victoria Park, MTR Tin Hau Station Exit B)
 
     For enrolment or enquiries about these occupational health talks, please call 2852 4040 or 2361 8240 (for talks organised at the Occupational Safety and Health Centre). Moreover, the LD also provides an outreach health education service and occupational health nurses will, on invitation, disseminate occupational health information at workplaces at a convenient time. Please contact the nursing officer at 2852 4062 for details. All these health talks are free of charge.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) signed a Co-operation Agreement today (June 26) to enhance fintech collaboration between the two authorities, with a view to encouraging and enabling innovation in financial services in both markets, and supporting innovative financial businesses in expanding to each other's jurisdictions.
 
     The Co-operation Agreement was signed between the Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA, Mr Nelson Chow, and the Chief Executive Officer of the FSRA of ADGM, Mr Richard Teng, today in Hong Kong. Under the Co-operation Agreement, the HKMA and the FSRA will collaborate on referring innovative businesses, information sharing, and joint innovation projects.
 
     Mr Chow said, "We are pleased to establish a closer relationship with the FSRA so that both authorities could better support financial innovation in our jurisdictions. ADGM's commitment to the pursuit of innovation resonates strongly with Hong Kong's ambitions. The co-operation between the HKMA and the FSRA would strengthen the two authorities in their respective roles and initiatives in fintech. We are particularly pleased to start a dialogue with FSRA on the opportunity to build a cross-border trade finance network using distributed ledger technology."
 
     Mr Teng said, "We are glad to further our collaboration with the HKMA by way of this fintech agreement.  Hong Kong has remained a long-term strategic and economic partner of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. This co-operation augments ADGM’s commitment in supporting the growth and financial developments of Abu Dhabi and the Middle East, Africa and greater Asia regions.  We look forward to working closely with the HKMA to support our fintech start-ups and our innovative businesses, from regulations to adoption, in advancing and applying their solutions to each of our respective financial markets and jurisdictions."