Police today (May 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin. Ho Hiu-pang, aged 28, went missing after he left his residence in Wang Tau Hom Estate… read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 13) that the red flag at Silverstrand Beach in … read more
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) conducted the second phase of a trial flight inspection by small unmanned aircraft (SUA) on May 9, 10 and 13. According to the standards of the International Civil Avi… read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on the governance of the Social Workers Registration Board at a media session this afternoon (May 13) after attending a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services:
Reporter: Secretary, are there any plans to change the composition of the Social Workers Registration Board, by increasing the ratio of appointed members? Also, how would you respond to the Board Chairperson’s comments that existing mechanism has been effective enough in handling registration regarding offenders of serious offences?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I pointed out very clearly in the article I published earlier about my serious concerns that the Social Workers Registration Board is deviating from what it should be doing under the law and what it has been doing right now undermines public interest and also the credibility and professionalism of social workers. There is no misunderstanding. I have complete information about what is going on in the Board. Based on my clear understanding and my serious concerns about what is going on there, I have pointed out very clearly that we have to improve the governance of the Board, so that the Board will in future deal with issues concerning registration of social workers as well as disciplinary matters concerning social workers in a manner that is commensurate with the need to ensure that public interest is given priority and also the professionalism and credibility of social workers is being upheld.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 13) that 1 000 regular quotas for Hong Kong cross-boundary non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to Macao (Hong Kong quotas) are now allocated through open application.
“The 1 000 quotas allocated from July 2021 will expire on June 30, 2024. The 1 000 quotas are reopened for application, half of which are for company applicants and half are for individual applicants. The quotas are valid for no more than three years until June 30, 2027. All eligible parties, including existing quota holders of the batch, may submit applications. Quota holders are expected to be able to travel between Hong Kong and Macao via the HZMB starting from July 1, 2024, at the earliest,” a TD spokesman said.
The eligibility criteria for quota applications remain unchanged. Company quotas are open for companies registered in both Hong Kong and Macao, or companies registered in Hong Kong that are associated with another company registered in Macao, while individual quotas are open to permanent residents of Hong Kong employed with remunerations in Macao or have established a registered company in Macao. Details of the application criteria and licensing requirements are available in the Annex and on the TD’s website. Private cars allocated with Hong Kong quotas will be permitted to access the city of Macao multiple times via the HZMB. Quotas will be reallocated upon expiry through open applications such that more could benefit from the scheme. The reallocation exercise will not affect the validity of Hong Kong quotas in other batches.
Eligible parties may apply for the Hong Kong quotas through the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/regularquotahktomacao) from today until 5.15pm on May 25, 2024.
To enhance the application process, the TD will simplify some of the application documents for the Hong Kong quotas, which include waivers of documentary proof of the relationship between the applicants and the designated drivers and the taxation proof for applicants of company quotas. For application procedures and details, please visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/closed_road_permit_for_cross_boundary_vehicles/rq_hk_private_cars_to_macao_access_city_centre/index.html) or call 2804 2600. read more