The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, September 6, 2018 is 104.4 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 5) seized 885 suspected smuggled computer RAM units and 240 suspected smuggled computer central processing units (CPUs) at Shenzhen Bay Control Point with an estimated market value of about $1.58 million in total.

     Customs officers yesterday afternoon intercepted an outgoing private vehicle at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized the computer RAM and computer CPUs from the false compartment of the vehicle. The 37-year-old male driver was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, visited North District today (September 6) to tour a secondary school and exchange views with members of North District Council (NDC) and members from a district football club.
          
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the NDC, Mr So Sai-chi; the Vice Chairman of the NDC, Mr Li Kwok-fung; and the District Officer (North), Mr Chong Wing-wun, Mr Lau first met with NDC members to exchange views on district issues. He then met with representatives and footballers of the North District Football Club to share views on local football development. Founded in 2003, the Club aims to train young footballers and guide them towards positive lives.
          
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau visited TWGHs Li Ka Shing College and chatted with members of the school's Chinese orchestra to learn more about their training. The school is committed to promoting arts education by enhancing arts appreciation among students through various activities and broadening their learning experience.

      

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a work accident that happened at a construction site in Ngau Tau Kok this morning (September 6), in which a worker died after falling from a floor opening of a plant room on the first floor. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker in the accident and expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim's family.

     The LD spokesperson said, "We commenced immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident, and have issued suspension notices to the contractors involved to suspend any work in in the plant room. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.

     "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 fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     In regard to today'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, to assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and to 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.

     Hong Kong Customs conducted an operation yesterday (September 5) to combat the sale of suspected counterfeit goods. A total of 1 277 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $500,000 were seized.
 
     Customs took enforcement action yesterday evening. A total of 1 277 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, wallets, handbags and other goods with an estimated market value of about $500,000 were seized from two fixed hawker pitches in Mong Kok. A 33-year-old female person in charge and a 31-year-old female salesperson were arrested. Investigation is ongoing.
 
     Customs will continue to step up enforcement to combat the sale of counterfeit goods.
 
     Customs appeals to consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.  
 
     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
 
     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).