Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organise the second volume of “A Cultural Journey through World Music” lecture demonstration from August to September, featuring music of Mongolian morin khuur, Argentinian tango, Scottish bagpipe and Arabic music. The four lectures will be hosted and curated by Eugene Leung, a local Central Asian musical instrument dutar performer with a fine grasp of ethnomusicology. The programme has invited various local musicians as speakers. Through an introduction of histories and cultures, demonstrations of musical instruments and personal-experience sharing, participants will be guided to appreciate the musical characteristics from different regions and across cultural boundaries.

　　Details of each lecture are as follows:

Lecture 1: Mongolian Morin Khuur Music
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Date: August 7 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Khaw Fook Wai (morin khuur)
Demonstrators: Spencer Chao, Leo Wong (morin khuur)
     The morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), the most emblematic instrument of the Mongolians, has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. The speaker will introduce the deep association of morin khuur with the traditional Mongolian pastoral nomadic way of life, its traditional techniques and repertoire, as well as its contemporary performance styles.

Lecture 2: Argentinian Tango Music
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Date: August 21 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Justin Siu (double bass)
Demonstrators: Bobo Chiu (bandoneon), Stephanie Fung (piano)
     Tango is an art form born in the slums of Argentina. Its traditional music rhythms form an association with dance. Composer Astor Piazzolla has brought forward the nuevo tango, which stands as a pure music form. The speaker will introduce the traditional form of tango and its subsequent evolution, with demonstrations featuring the quintessential tango music instrument, the bandoneon, along with the piano and double bass.

Lecture 3: Scottish Bagpipe Music
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Date: August 28 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Chris Lee (Scottish bagpipes)
Demonstrator: Yuko Saito (fiddle and bodhrán)
     Scottish bagpipes are commonly seen in ceremonial events. However, it is rare to see its more musical side. The speaker will introduce the history of bagpipes in Scotland, its types and musical styles. The structure of the instrument and its unique performing techniques will also be featured, with demonstrations to showcase the bagpipe’s musicality.

Lecture 4: Arabic Music
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Date: September 4 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Eugene Leung (oud)
Demonstrators: Dickson Cheung (Middle Eastern percussion) and Jessie Law (qanun)
     The Arab world covers vast territories, and its musical culture and system have developed in various ways in different regions through multi-ethnic and multi-faith interactions. The speaker will introduce basic concepts in Arabic music, and look in particular at the music of Egypt and Syria in the 20th century, to understand the historical context that brought about the “Golden Age of Arabic Music”.

     Eugene Leung studied music at Cambridge University and completed a Master of Music in Ethnomusicology from Goldsmiths College, University of London. He has been an active figure on the Hong Kong music scene, promoting Central Asian and Middle Eastern music, and has taken part in exhibitions and performances as curator and music director.

     All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese, and will be held at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Tickets priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1753.html. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (June 25) that the application numbers of the 1 500 personalised vehicle registration mark (PVRM) applications selected by lot for the 51st exercise have been published on its website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) and posted on the notice boards of the TD’s licensing offices.
      
     “The applicants have already been sent an acknowledgement of receipt bearing an application number. They may check the list to see whether their applications have been selected. Applicants will also be notified of the ballot results by post in batches,” a department spokesman said.
      
     The department will later check the proposed PVRMs selected against the basic combination requirements. If, among the selected applications, more than one applicant proposes the same PVRM, only the one on which the lot falls first out of those applications will be further processed.
      
     If the selected PVRMs meet the basic requirements, the department will send notices by registered mail to the applicants in batches, requiring them to pay a deposit of $5,000 within the period specified in the notice. If an applicant fails to pay the deposit within that period, his or her application will be cancelled automatically and will not be further processed.
      
     Upon receipt of the deposit, the Commissioner for Transport will determine, with the assistance of a vetting committee, whether an application should be approved or rejected. PVRMs approved in the 51st exercise will be put up for auction in batches. Auction details will be published in newspapers and on the TD website in due course.
      
     For enquiries, applicants can call the TD Hotline at 2804 2600. read more

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, will depart for Beijing this afternoon (June 25) to attend the Board of Directors’ Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to learn about the latest developments on AIIB’s issues including climate-policy based financing, business planning and internal operations.  

     The two-day meeting of the Board of Directors of the AIIB will commence tomorrow (June 26). During the meeting, Mr Hui will meet with senior executives of the AIIB.

     In Mr Hui’s absence, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will act as the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more