A recycling site in Yuen Long, which illegally handled hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), was raided during an inter-departmental blitz enforcement operation in January by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The company concerned, Mei Wah Environmental (Hong Kong) Company Limited, was convicted at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 7) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation and was fined a total of $130,000. This company was also fined $41,000 in May this year for contravening the WDO and the Regulation.
      
     An EPD spokesman said that a blitz operation was jointly conducted with the Police in January this year at various open recycling sites at Shan Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long. It was found that a recycling site operated by Mei Wah Environmental (Hong Kong) Company Limited illegally stored waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) and LCD monitors, which are classified as chemical waste. About 6 700 waste LCD monitors and five bags of waste PCBs weighing about 1.2 tonnes were found during the operation, with a total market value of approximately $800,000. Upon investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the operator of the recycling site concerned in accordance with the Regulation.
      
     The spokesman stressed that dismantled or destroyed PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal. The EPD is all along been committed to combating the illegal collection, storage, handling and import and export activities of hazardous e-waste. Anyone who violates the above laws shall be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 is 104.2 (same as yesterday's index).

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

     Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority Tenders to be held in the week beginning August 13, 2018:
 

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 7) that the services provided by Mobile Library 10 at Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui will be suspended from August 14 until further notice to facilitate refurbishment work at the venue.
 
     For enquiries about the services of Mobile Library 10, please call 2450 1857.
 
     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension period. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via the Internet at www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (August 7) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.

     The LD has recently revoked the licence of Familia Employment Agency, an EA located in Tai Po, the licensee of which was earlier convicted of overcharging three job seekers.

     "Under the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke a licence of an EA if the person operating or intending to operate an EA has contravened any provision of Part XII of the said Ordinance, such as overcharging job seekers, or if he or she has contravened the Code promulgated under section 62(A)(1) of the EO," the spokesman said.

     This is the fourth case this year involving revocation of or refusal to renew an EA licence. Previously two EAs, namely Tin Wai Employment Company Limited, an EA located in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, and Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited located in Kennedy Town had their licences revoked respectively for contravening the Code and providing misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) and for contravening the Code by being involved in the financial matters of job seekers, failing to issue payment receipts to Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) and having the management fail to closely supervise all its staff. Another EA named JK Company located in Mong Kok had its licence renewal refused because its licensee had contravened the Code by failing to draw up service agreements with FDHs and their employers.

     For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation, overcharging job seekers' commission by EAs and the Code, please call the LD's EAA at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.