Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 26) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH’s health education hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:    … read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.      To prevent heat stroke, avoid pro… read more

     A Vietnamese illegal worker was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (July 25).

     During operation “Twilight” on July 23, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Tai Wai. A female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 35, was arrested. When intercepted, she was washing dishes. Upon identity checking, she produced for inspection a Vietnamese passport. Further investigation revealed that she was an illegal immigrant. In addition, she was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged identity card. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases. It is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening on vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments.

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     Following is the opening speech by the Acting Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung, at the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems (APAS) R&D Centre Showcase 2018 today (July 26):

Willy (Chairman of the HKPC, Mr Willy Lin), Mohamed (Executive Director of the HKPC, Mr Mohamed Din Butt), Lawrence (Chief Executive Officer of the HKPC APAS R&D Centre, Dr Lawrence Cheung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. I am pleased to be here today to join the APAS R&D Centre Showcase 2018.

     The Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre was established with funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) in 2006. Since then, the APAS has been striving to promote and co-ordinate applied research in key area of automotive parts technology, and work closely with the industry to encourage investment in local R&D and drive commercialisation of R&D results. All these are meant to build a vibrant I&T ecosystem and connect the Government, industry, academia and research sectors for technology collaboration.

     The APAS has been committed in providing technical support to enterprises interested in entering the automotive parts industry, and supporting small and medium enterprises in developing technologies for electric vehicle industry. Since its establishment, APAS has commenced over 120 research projects, involving a total project cost of over $400 million. The amount of industry income for APAS increased by 175% from $9.7 million in 2016-17 to $26.7 million in 2017-18, demonstrating its growing support from the industry.

     To complement the efforts of R&D centres, the Government endeavours to create a favourable environment for R&D centres. Take a few new moves as examples, a five-year pilot Technology Talent Scheme will be introduced this quarter. Under this Scheme, a Postdoctoral Hub programme will provide funding support to ITF recipients, including R&D Centres, to recruit up to two postdoctoral talent for R&D work. Furthermore, the Legislative Council Finance Committee just approved our proposal to allow R&D Centres to retain their commercialisation income for use in more strategic activities, such as technology and market analyses, infrastructure building, staff development or experimental projects. We hope that this will further incentivise commercialisation of R&D results.

     Throughout the years, the APAS contributed significantly to I&T development in Hong Kong through nurturing research talent and winning international recognition for their innovations.  The event today is a good occasion for APAS to showcase its R&D deliverables to the industry, partners and other stakeholders, and collect their views on future development of APAS.  Through today’s fruitful exchanges with experts and industry leaders on the latest market needs and development, APAS will surely be able to develop strategies that can provide even better support for the industry’s sustainable development and global competitiveness.

     I wish the event a great success. Thank you. read more