Author Archives: hksar gov

     A 43-year-old man was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 14 days by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (December 18) for assaulting a Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspector (TACI) in the exercise of his duties. The man was also fined $1,500 each for a smoking offence and failing to produce a proof of identity when required by a TACI. 

     The incident took place at the Sheung Shui Bus Terminus on June 28, 2019. The man assaulted the TACI when he was being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice by the TACI for a smoking offence. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.

     A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe smoking ban requirements and co-operate with law enforcement officers.

     “Threatening or using violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences,” the spokesman said.

     As of today, there have been seven cases of assaulting TACIs in 2019. Since 2007, 93 cases have been recorded and 23 out of 78 offenders convicted for assaulting TACIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months. read more

     Twenty-five young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (December 18) in recognition of their efforts and academic achievements. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), Dr Ken Tsoi, was invited to officiate at the ceremony.
      
     In the past year, 104 persons in custody sat for various academic and vocational examinations including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, examinations of the Open University of Hong Kong, the Aptis English Assessment Test of the British Council and examinations organised by City and Guilds International Limited, the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Council and other examination bodies. The examinations covered the subjects of Computer Literacy, Hairstyling, Elementary Cantonese Cooking and Kitchen Operations, Basic Laundry Skills and the Intermediate Trade Test in Joiner. They achieved 225 passes including 25 merits. Seven persons in custody sat for 41 papers of the HKDSE Examination this year, obtaining level 2 or above in 34 papers, representing 82.9 per cent of all papers taken. One candidate obtained 23 marks overall in six papers taken. The 25 persons in custody who were presented with certificates today had passed 75 papers, 11 of which resulted in merits.
      
     Dr Tsoi said that the CSD is committed to providing safe custody and appropriate rehabilitation programmes to help persons in custody integrate into society. As such, the TWGHs in collaboration with the CSD has set up a subsidy scheme, namely the TWGHs Positive Life Education Fund, with a total donation of $1.2 million comprising $200,000 in 2018-19 and $200,000 in each of the next five years to the Prisoners’ Welfare Fund to provide financial assistance for needy persons in custody pursuing studies. A cheque presentation ceremony was held to present the donation of $200,000 for 2019-20 during the ceremony.
      
     In addition, Dr Tsoi encouraged the young persons in custody to uphold the spirit of “Be determined to revive, unleash your full potential”, and start a new life through focusing on gaining knowledge and preparation for re-entering society with the support of their families and the staff of the CSD.
      
     During the ceremony, persons in custody spoke on their determination to turn over a new leaf with the support of their families and staff members of the CSD by making use of the knowledge and skills learnt in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education course provided by the institution to produce a 3D mapping video with sketches and computer images. The mother of a person in custody also expressed her joy at seeing the positive changes in her son. The band Splash, composed of persons in custody, performed to convey gratitude to all those helping them in rehabilitation. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (December 18):
 
Question:
 
     The Director of Audit published, in October this year, the results of a value for money audit on the “control of wild and stray animal nuisances”. Regarding the work of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in this respect, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that in the last financial year, (i) AFCD staff did not conduct on-site visits in respect of 65 per cent of the complaint cases which would need their on-site visits, and (ii) in respect of the 1 917 complaint cases analysed by the Audit Commission, there were delays in the interim and substantive replies given by AFCD for 3 per cent and 21 per cent of the cases respectively, whether AFCD has reviewed the causes for such situations and what improvement measures have been put in place;
 
(2) given that in the last financial year, among the 10 partner organisations which collected cats and dogs from AFCD for rehoming by members of the public, only two submitted rehoming records as required, (i) how AFCD calculates the numbers of animals rehomed under such circumstances, and (ii) whether AFCD has counted those animals that it transferred to its partner organisations but not yet rehomed towards the numbers of animals rehomed; whether AFCD has required its partner organisations to submit rehoming records of other animals (e.g. turtles and rabbits); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) given that the numbers of dogs and cats rehomed in the past five years dropped by 26 per cent and 43 per cent respectively, and that two stray dogs which had passed the health and temperament assessments (rehoming assessments) were euthanised in the last financial year as no rehoming could be found for them, whether AFCD will upload the information of those dogs, cats and other animals which have passed the rehoming assessments onto its website in order to increase their chances of being rehomed;
 
(4) given that according to AFCD’s guidelines, stray cats and dogs will be euthanised if they are not reclaimed within the detention period of four days after being caught and if they have failed the rehoming assessments, while in the last financial year, the actual detention periods for cats and dogs ranged respectively from 0 to 51 days and from 0 to 93 days, and 47 cats and dogs were euthanised in less than four days of detention, whether AFCD has reviewed the causes for such situations, and what improvement measures have been put in place;
 
(5) given that in 2007, nine of the 18 District Councils (DCs) supported in principle the implementation of the “trap-neuter-return” pilot programme for dogs in their districts, whether AFCD will consult the other DCs on the programme after the new DC term commences in January next year so as to extend the scope of implementation of the programme; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(6) as many animal welfare organisations have relayed the difficulties in operating a rehoming centre, including finding suitable premises and shouldering high rents, whether the Government will dedicate certain floors of the new Animal Management and Animal Welfare Building Complex (Complex) proposed to be built in the Kai Tak Development Area for renting to such organisations by drawing lots; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will provide them with rental subsidies;
 
(7) whether AFCD will provide public veterinary services in the Complex; if so, of the details; if not, whether healthcare vouchers for animals or other subsidies will be provided to animal owners with financial needs; and
 
(8) whether AFCD, apart from entrusting the work on animal rehoming to its partner organisations, will provide its own (i) animal rehoming centre and (ii) online animal rehoming platform?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     In consultation with the Environment Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department, my reply to the question is as follows:
 
(1) When handling complaints about wild animals, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been making appropriate attempts to deal with each case on its individual merits in accordance with internal guidelines.
 
     For cases that involve wild animals causing nuisances to the public, AFCD will recommend preventive measures to the persons affected and take appropriate management actions as and when necessary after conducting on-site visits to investigate the cause and situation of the wild animal sighting.
 
     As for cases involving only the sighting of wild animals with no nuisance caused, or repeated complaints, AFCD may not arrange on-site visits but will approach the complainants to look into the situation and offer appropriate advice or take appropriate actions as and when necessary.
 
     In response to the Audit Commission’s recommendations, AFCD will review the relevant guidelines, and take measures to ensure adequate recording of information in the register of wild animal nuisances, as well as deploying additional resources and manpower to facilitate timely handling of cases involving wild animal nuisances.
 
(2) AFCD is currently collaborating with 18 non-profit making animal welfare organisations (AWOs) to arrange rehoming of suitable animals (including cats, dogs, rabbits and turtles). All animals transferred to these organisations for arranging rehoming are recorded as “animal rehomed”. AFCD will maintain close liaison with these partnering AWOs and regularly remind them of the need to submit rehoming records of relevant animals in a timely manner.
 
(3) and (8) The number of cats and dogs received and caught by AFCD dropped from 7 995 in 2014 to 2 943 in 2018, while the ratio of their adoption increased from 11.1 per cent to 22.6 per cent.
 
     The above 18 partnering organisations of AFCD provide animal rehoming services in various districts across the territory.  These services include assessing the suitability of prospective adopters and their living environment for animal adoption, and following up with adopters to see if the adopters take proper care of the animals rehomed. Some partnering organisations have already uploaded the information of animals awaiting adoption onto their websites, answer enquiries and provide matching services online. These organisations are armed with relevant experience and adopter network, and could provide members of the public with more service locations and better meet the current needs of the community. Meanwhile, AFCD is actively liaising with other AWOs with a view to further increasing the number of partnering organisations.
 
(4) Upon receiving a stray animal, AFCD will try to identify its owner based on the information on the microchip implanted or in the loss report. If an animal without a microchip and not reported lost has been left unclaimed for four days, a veterinary officer will assess its temperament and health condition for arranging rehoming. For animals whose health conditions or temperament are assessed as unsatisfactory but still possible for rehoming after appropriate treatment or temperament improvement, the veterinary officers will provide them with treatment and improve their temperament as far as possible in order to increase their chance of adoption. Since the time required differs among these animals, the duration for keeping them at AFCD’s Animal Management Centres varies accordingly.
 
     The 47 cats and dogs mentioned in the Audit Report were euthanised as they were assessed by veterinary officers as having a low chance of survival due to injury or illness or temperamentally unsuitable for rehoming in accordance with AFCD’s guidelines. However, the staff concerned forgot to record the reasons for three of these animals in the computer system, resulting in incomplete information. AFCD has already reminded its staff that the reasons for euthanising animals must be properly recorded.
       
(5) AFCD assisted two AWOs in conducting the Trap-Neuter-Return trial programme for stray dogs at two sites between 2015 and 2018. The results showed that the programme failed to achieve its predetermined performance targets. Nevertheless, we will keep an open mind and offer assistance to AWOs that are interested in conducting such trial programme at other sites. AFCD will consider the proposed sites on a case-by-case basis, taking account of factors such as geographical location, population density, proximity to community facilities and traffic conditions. If a site is found suitable, AFCD will help the AWOs concerned liaise with relevant District Councils and local stakeholders, and seek relevant legislative exemption from the Legislative Council.
 
(6) Since the reference plot ratio for the site of the proposed Animal Management and Animal Welfare Building Complex (the Complex) in the Kai Tak Development Area has already been fully utilised, there is no extra space available for other uses (including uses by AWOs).
       
     According to AFCD’s understanding, many AWOs rely mainly on foster homes to take care of animals awaiting for adoption.  This could provide more opportunities for the animals to interact with people and increase their chance of rehoming. Those AWOs in need of premises for running rehoming centres may consider the suitability of vacant government sites (including vacant school premises) under the management of the Lands Department that are available for leasing by non-governmental organisations for community purposes by short-term tenancies. AWOs may also apply for subsidies under a funding scheme administered by the Development Bureau to carry out one-off, basic and necessary restoration works so as to put the vacant government sites fit-for-use as rehoming centres.
       
(7) The number of local registered veterinary surgeons has been increasing in recent years with the current total at 1 049. There are around 140 veterinary clinics providing general and specialist consultation services in the territory. In addition, the Veterinary Medical Centre of the City University of Hong Kong provides veterinary services. According to the findings of a consultancy study on the development of the veterinary profession in Hong Kong released by the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong in 2017, our vet-to-pet (dogs and cats) ratio would drop in 2019 to 1:523, much lower than that in Singapore (1:2 543), the United Kingdom (1:2 374) and the United States (1:3 072). The vet-to-pet ratio is a common indicator for assessing the overall situation of veterinary services: the lower the ratio, the greater the number of veterinary surgeons. Hence, there are currently sufficient veterinary surgeons and clinics to provide various services in Hong Kong. In addition, AFCD has been subventing AWOs in support of their work on safeguarding animal welfare, including the provision of veterinary services. In view of the above, the Government has no plan to provide public veterinary services in the above new Complex or provide members of the public with subsidies for veterinary services at this stage. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (December 18):

Question:

     The social unrest has persisted for half a year and has hit many industries. This situation, coupled with the protracted trade conflicts between China and the United States (US) as well as the enactment of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act by the US authorities, has not only dampened investment incentives but will also further weaken Hong Kong’s economic performance. Some members of the public are worried that amid the gloomy economic outlook, tides of pay cuts and business closing down will appear one after another, and a large unemployed population is poised to grow. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) Of the respective numbers of employees’ applications to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund received and approved by the authorities, and the respective numbers of cases concerning wage defaults, dismissal and closing down of companies received by the relevant government departments, in each of the past 12 months, as well as the top five industries with the largest number of such cases;

(2) Of the unemployed population in each of the past six months; the top five industries with the highest unemployment rate at present; the projected unemployment rates for the whole of this year and the first half of next year; and

(3) Of the implementation progress of the four rounds of relief measures introduced by the Government in recent months and their effectiveness in safeguarding jobs; whether it will introduce a new round of relief measures; given that the Government introduced, in 2003 after an epidemic had been brought under control, a package of measures which created approximately 30 000 jobs, whether the Government will introduce a similar package of measures for job creation?

Reply:

President,

     In consultation with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Office of the Government Economist and the Census and Statistics Department, the consolidated reply to the Member’s question is as follows:

(1) In the past 12 months, the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund received a total of 2 992 applications. The number of applications received per month ranged from 142 to 539. The top five industries with the largest number of applications received were construction industry (1 158 applications), food and beverage service activities (716 applications), retail trade (233 applications), import and export trade (220 applications) and other personal service activities (80 applications). During the same period, a total of 2 531 applications were approved. The number of applications approved per month ranged from 73 to 406. The top five industries with the largest number of applications approved (including applications received in the corresponding period or before) were construction industry (1 092 applications), food and beverage service activities (398 applications), retail trade (316 applications), import and export trade (125 applications) and manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (122 applications). Details of the monthly figures of applications for the Fund received and approved in the aforesaid period are at Annex 1.

     In the aforesaid period, the number of labour disputes and claims over dispute on wages, termination of contract and cessation of business/winding up/bankruptcy of employers handled by the Labour Department (LD) each month is provided at Annex 2. From January to November 2019, in respect of labour disputes and claims handled by LD, the top five industries with the most cases handled were construction industry (2 865 cases), accommodation and food service activities industry (2 372 cases), other service activities industry (1 229 cases), import/export, wholesale and retail trades industry (1 190 cases) and work activities within domestic households (1 050 cases). LD did not keep such breakdown before January 2019.

(2) The number of unemployed persons compiled from the General Household Survey by the Census and Statistics Department for the three-month periods in the previous six months (i.e. from April to June 2019 onwards) is given below:
 

	April-June 2019	May-July 2019	June-August 2019	July-September 2019	August-October 2019	September-November 2019*
Unemployed persons	114 300	118 500	120 600	120 300	125 400	125 400

Note: *Provisional figure

     In the survey period from September to November 2019, the five major industries with the highest unemployment rate were the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector (7.0 per cent), the food and beverage service activities sector (6.2 per cent), the retail sector (4.8 per cent), the foundation and superstructure sector (4.4 per cent) and the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector (3.7 per cent).

     The labour market eased further as economic conditions continued to worsen. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased successively from 2.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2019 to 3.2 per cent in the period from September to November. The number of unemployed persons increased by around 11 200 to 125 400 over the same period. Hard hit by the local social incidents, the unemployment rate of retail, accommodation and food services sectors as a whole rose visibly from 3.9 per cent in the second quarter to a three-year high of 5.2 per cent in the period from September to November. The number of unemployed persons in these three sectors increased by 6 000 to 31 600, accounting for around 25 per cent of overall unemployment.

     If the overall economy, in particular the consumption market, continues to weaken considerably, the local labour market will likely be under severe pressure in the short term. It is possible that the unemployment rate may increase at a faster pace, with the employment situation in the consumption- and tourism-related sectors being particularly serious. The Government will stay vigilant.

(3) To counter the challenging external and local economic environment, the Government has announced four rounds of helping measures since August 2019 to support enterprises, safeguard jobs and relieve people’s financial burden, costing over $25 billion. These measures are summarised at Annex 3.

     For some helping measures announced between August and October 2019 requiring additional resources in the current financial year, the Government had consulted the relevant Panels of the Legislative Council (LegCo), and the funding proposals have subsequently been approved by the LegCo Finance Committee on December 6, 2019. As regards the enhanced tax concession, the bill for effecting the tax concession was passed by LegCo on November 6, 2019, and gazetted on November 15, 2019. The Inland Revenue Department will reflect the tax reductions in the tax demand notes.

     Relevant bureaux and departments will follow up on the implementation of the above measures at full speed so that enterprises and the public can benefit early. The Government is committed to working out more comprehensive and targeted measures to address the evolving challenges. It is hoped that by supporting enterprises it will help safeguard employment. During economic downturn, helping people secure their job opportunities through the continuing operation of businesses is the top priority of the Government. Through these purposeful measures, we may achieve better effectiveness than creating a large number of unwarranted employment.

     The Government will remain vigilant in assessing the economic impacts of the internal and external environment, and utilise our financial reserves to implement timely and suitable countercyclical measures, so as to stimulate the economy and relieve people’s hardship, and go through the wave of economic downturn with the community together where necessary. read more

     Among the 55 commercial stalls of the Hong Kong Flower Show 2020, 53 were let at the auction held on December 4. The remaining two fast food stalls were leased out today (December 18).        Organised by … read more