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 today (January 27) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on the prevention of accident in confined space works at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 27):
Reporter: Secretary, about labour safety, as you said the Code of Practice will be issued for those working in confined space, when will this be issued? How effective do you hope this will increase the safety?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Our plan is to promulgate the revised "Code of Practice – Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces" within the first half of this year. This is our work plan. Right now, we have completed consultation with the stakeholders. We are looking at ways to refine and finalise the Code. One of the key changes to be made in the Code is to make use of technology. One idea, we think it is quite possible, is to require the installation of cameras at the entrance in confined spaces. Through cameras, there is literally no incentive for those working in confined spaces to cut corners, because all the entrances, their behaviour and equipment will be fully recorded by camera. By this way, we hope they will be able to make sure that people have every incentive to comply with all the safety requirements for working in confined spaces.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Yellow fire danger warning
The fire danger situation today (January 27) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.
Hong Kong PHAB Association has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (January 27), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, concluded his visit to Switzerland today (January 26, Geneva time). In addition to attending meetings of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), he has called on representatives of several international and local organisations these days to foster mutual understanding and keep them abreast of the latest developments of Hong Kong.
Mr Chan, as Deputy Head of China's delegation, attended meetings of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the UNHRC on January 23 and today (Geneva time) with regard to China's fourth report, which includes a part concerning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), submitted under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. He actively responded to comments and suggestions about the HKSAR's human rights situation from meeting participants, and sternly refuted the unfounded and untrue remarks from a small number of countries, during the review.
The review report on China adopted by the Working Group will be presented to the plenary session of the UNHRC in due course. Mr Chan said that the HKSAR Government will continue to steadfastly join the motherland in the work under the review mechanism, and tell the international community good stories of the HKSAR's human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner.
Yesterday (January 25, Geneva time), Mr Chan visited the International Social Security Association to meet with the Secretary General, Mr Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano. They exchanged views on establishing a sustainable social security system, tackling challenges brought about by an ageing population, etc.
Mr Chan pointed out that apart from steadfastly enhancing the prevailing non-contributory social security system to provide suitable cash assistance for people with different needs, the HKSAR Government has recently been implementing the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation to further direct resources to the grassroots groups most in need and help them improve their living quality.
Afterwards, Mr Chan visited the International Labour Organization to meet with the Director-General, Mr Gilbert F Houngbo. Mr Chan briefed him on the latest social situation and labour market of Hong Kong.
Mr Chan said that the HKSAR Government is committed to safeguarding workers' rights and benefits and promoting harmonious employer-employee relations. He stressed that imported workers enjoy the same protection as local workers under Hong Kong's labour laws do. The HKSAR Government has introduced various measures to improve workers' rights and benefits in recent years, including progressively increasing the number of statutory holidays, extending the statutory maternity leave, and abolishing the "offsetting" arrangement under the Mandatory Provident Fund System.
Then, Mr Chan visited the World Health Organization (WHO) to meet with the Assistant Director-General, External Relations and Governance, Dr Catharina Boehme. They shared that the HKSAR Government and the WHO have been fostering exchanges and co-operation on public health-related issues, which include combating the COVID-19 epidemic.
He said that the HKSAR Government is determined to maintain high-quality medical care services and an efficient healthcare system in Hong Kong. It will continue to steadfastly build a "Healthy Hong Kong" by spearheading primary healthcare development, enhancing public healthcare services, and turning the city into a health and medical innovation hub, with a view to catering for the mounting service demand of society.
On January 24 (Geneva time), Mr Chan visited the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and briefed the Director of IMD World Competitiveness Center, Professor Arturo Bris, on the latest situation of Hong Kong, highlighting its resumption of full normality following the epidemic. That includes the HKSAR Government's introduction of new policy initiatives of attracting enterprises and talent from around the world to Hong Kong proactively to enhance the city's international competitiveness.
The IMD publishes the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) every year. In the latest WCY published last year, Hong Kong continued to be one of the most competitive economies in the world. Mr Chan said that the HKSAR Government will continue to give full play to the unique advantages of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems", which include a solid foundation of the rule of law, a favourable business environment, an efficient and clean government, and a simple and low tax system. At the same time, it will continue to resolutely safeguard national security while developing the city's economy and improving people's livelihood.
On January 23 (Geneva time), Mr Chan met with the Vice President of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Romandie Chapter, Mr Vincent Subilia, and other members of the Chamber to learn about the Chamber's work on promoting exchanges and co-operation in business and trade between Switzerland and China. Mr Chan also introduced to them the latest social and economic developments of Hong Kong, as well as the HKSAR Government's new initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talent to the city and develop a mega-event economy. He welcomed the Swiss business sector to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages and professional services to further tap into the Mainland market.
Mr Chan will leave Geneva, Switzerland, today (Geneva time) and arrive in Hong Kong on January 27 (Hong Kong time).
