kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
LCQ7: Trade unions conducting annual general meetings
5.5.2021

Following is a question by the Hon Poon Siu-ping and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (May 5): Question: The Trade Unions Ordinance (Cap. 332) stipulates that trade unions shall make rules on the matters specified in Schedule 2. These matters include the method of convening and conducting annual general meetings (AGMs). However, quite a number of representatives of trade unions have relayed that due to the rampant Coronavirus Disease 2019 epidemic, their trade unions have not held AGMs for more than a year to handle the personnel and accounts matters of the trade unions concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective numbers and percentages of trade unions which have made enquiries with and sought assistance from the Registry of Trade Unions since the outbreak of the epidemic on matters relating to the conduct of AGMs; and (2) whether it has formulated guidelines setting out the arrangements for AGMs of trade unions under special circumstances (e.g. an epidemic); if so, of the details; if not, whether it will immediately formulate guidelines and recommend trade unions to make rules specifying the arrangements for handling the personnel and accounts matters of the trade unions concerned in the event that AGMs cannot be conducted; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, In accordance with Schedule 2 to the Trade Unions Ordinance (TUO), each registered trade union must specify in its rules (or called the constitution) the method of convening and conducting annual general meetings (AGMs) and extraordinary general meetings, and the matters to be presented to the members of the trade union at such meetings, including in the case of AGMs the presentation of audited accounts. In this regard, TUO does not provide for any exemption arrangement. With regard to Member's question, my reply is as follows: (1) During the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, the Registry of Trade Unions (RTU) of the Labour Department has received enquiries from trade unions about the holding of AGMs. RTU has provided advice and suggestions to the trade unions concerned. RTU does not keep statistics on the related enquiries. (2) Generally speaking, trade unions should hold AGMs in the month(s) specified in their rules. If trade unions need to convene AGMs in accordance with their rules during the pandemic, they also have to comply with the requirements of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and take appropriate anti-epidemic measures. RTU understands that quite a number of trade unions have convened their AGMs as scheduled in accordance with their rules. If individual trade unions need to make special arrangements for convening AGMs, they should explain to their members the relevant situation and consult members' views, so as to ensure members' understanding of the special arrangements. Trade unions are welcome to contact RTU should they have the related enquiries.
Employees' Compensation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 gazetted
30.4.2021

The Employees' Compensation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (the Amendment Ordinance), which was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on April 28, was gazetted today (April 30). "The Amendment Ordinance seeks to extend the coverage of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282) to the situation where an employee sustains an injury or dies as a result of an accident when commuting to or from work during the period of 'extreme conditions' arising from a super typhoon or other natural disaster of a substantial scale. The relevant employee will be afforded the same employees' compensation protection on par with that under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or when the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force," a spokesman for the Labour Department said. The Amendment Ordinance will come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare by notice published in the Gazette. The Government will arrange the gazettal of the Commencement Notice (CN) and the tabling of the CN at the LegCo. If the CN is supported by the LegCo, the Amendment Ordinance will come into effect by July at the earliest.
Transcript of remarks by SLW on child abuse case
20.4.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on a case of child abuse after attending a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Manpower this afternoon (April 20): Reporter: Apart from the mandatory reporting system, will the Government also consider outlawing corporal punishment? Secretary for Labour and Welfare: This is a separate issue about corporal punishment. The major consideration of the Law Reform Commission, that is very much related to this issue, is the idea of the duty to protect, which basically means for those who are having the responsibility in looking after the welfare of the vulnerable, and whether the mechanism of the duty to protect should be written in law. This would also include the idea of mandatory reporting. Those are the things we will be looking at. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SLW briefs social welfare sector on improving Hong Kong's electoral system (with photos/video)
9.4.2021

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, met with representatives of the social welfare sector this morning (April 9) to explain improvements to the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) brought by the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and its Voting Procedures. At the meeting, Dr Law reiterated that the improvements to the electoral system aimed to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", ensuring steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and enhancing the efficacy of governance. He hoped that the community would focus on economic development and improving people's livelihoods after the legislative amendments, with concerted efforts to solve deep-seated problems and relieve the burden of sectors in need. Representatives of welfare-related advisory bodies as well as social welfare organisations and personnel attended the meeting.
SLW briefs labour sector and employers' representatives on improving Hong Kong's electoral system (with photos/videos)
7.4.2021

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, met with representatives of the labour sector and the employers respectively today (April 7) to explain improvements to the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) brought by the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and its Voting Procedures. Dr Law elaborated on the background and objectives of the improvements to the HKSAR's electoral system, the importance of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in order to ensure the long-term and stable development of "one country, two systems", and the urgency of the related legislative amendments. They also exchanged views on the formation of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council under the new legislative amendments. Attending the two briefing sessions in the morning and afternoon today included the employee representatives of the Labour Advisory Board, Members of the Legislative Council of the labour functional constituency, and representatives of the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong.
SLW expresses sorrow over death of DDSW Mr Lam Ka-tai  
30.1.2021

âThe Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, was deeply grieved today (January 30) to learn of the passing of the Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services), Mr Lam Ka-tai. Dr Law said, "In serving the Social Welfare Department (SWD) for 33 years, his strong commitment to serve, hard work and quality performance earned respect from colleagues across disciplines as well as stakeholders, organisations and front-line personnel in the welfare sector. Regardless of positions, he was a good listener and communicator. He led his teams in implementing people-oriented welfare initiatives with a mission to help those in need and he fully demonstrated the professionalism of a social worker." He added, "I knew K T personally for nearly 30 years, and have been working closely with him in different positions. Colleagues in the Labour and Welfare Bureau are all saddened by his passing, which is a great loss to our team. On behalf of our bureau, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family. The SWD will make every effort to provide assistance for the family as appropriate."
SLW to visit Singapore and Manila
3.1.2023

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, will depart tomorrow evening (January 4) for a seven-day visit to Singapore and Manila, the Philippines, to tap overseas experience on talent recruitment; and explore better equipping Filipino domestic helpers in meeting the needs of Hong Kong's ageing society. While in Singapore from January 4 to 8, Mr Sun will call on senior government officials of Singapore and visit continuing education and retraining facilities. He will also keep abreast of manpower and labour policy initiatives amid the emerging gig economy, and meet with academics, university students as well as Hong Kong people working and doing business in Singapore. The visit in Manila from January 8 to 10 will comprise meetings with senior government officials of the Philippines to exchange views on enhancing protection of Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong and regulation of employment agencies, to be followed by a visit to a care training body regarding the role of foreign domestic helpers in better supporting ageing in place in Hong Kong. Mr Sun will return to Hong Kong on January 10 evening. In his absence, the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, will be the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Labour and Welfare Bureau officer tests positive for COVID-19
20.12.2022

A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau today (December 20) said a staff member of the Bureau had tested positive for COVID-19 through through a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test. The officer is the Press Secretary to the Secretary for Labour and Welfare. The officer wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. He has no recent travel history and last went to work yesterday (December 19). The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, tested negative after conducting a COVID-19 rapid antigen test today.
SLW tests positive for COVID-19
10.12.2022

A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) said today (December 10) that the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. He is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. Mr Sun last went to work on December 8. He wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including conducting polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid tests and rapid antigen tests regularly. He has no recent travel history. The LWB will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare undergoing home quarantine
9.12.2022

A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said today (December 9) that the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, is undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, as a family member in his household has tested positive for COVID-19. Mr Sun will work from home during the quarantine period. Mr Sun has been taking COVID-19 nucleic acid tests regularly. He obtained negative results after conducting a nucleic acid test yesterday (December 8) and a rapid antigen test today. He has worn masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work.
Transcript of remarks by SLW at media session
19.11.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (November 19): Reporter: Mr Sun, what do you make of suggestions that importing workers does not help solve Hong Kong's manpower shortage, and how has the progress been in attracting talents overseas? Secondly, how can authorities ensure better safeguards for employees? And any updates on Mirror concert accident investigation? Secretary for Labour and Welfare: On our all-out efforts to attract talents to Hong Kong, we are quite confident with the new scheme, what we called the Top Talent Pass Scheme, plus the enhancement to the existing schemes, we should be able to meet the key performance indicator we set up for ourselves, i.e. from next year onwards until 2025, we should be able to attract at least 35 000 talents every year to fill the manpower gap in the local market. As for the special scheme for the importation of care workers for residential care homes, right now we are in the stage of knocking out the details. The principles are clearly set out. For us, the basic starting point is we are going to accord priorities to local workers, but given all our efforts, if we are still unable to fill the shortage, we have to consider importing a suitable number of outside workers to help. In that direction, we are going to extend the scheme from currently just applying to private residential care homes to include subsidised residential care homes as well. We would also look into the ratio between local workers and imported workers. Thirdly, we will work towards streamlining the process of application. As for the Mirror concert incident, we are taking actions on our side regarding the employer concerned as well as the occupant of the venue under two Ordinances. One is on employees' compensation, the other is on occupational safety and health. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Labour Advisory Board Election of Employee Representatives results
12.11.2022

The 2023-2024 Labour Advisory Board (LAB) Election of Employee Representatives was completed today (November 12). A total of 13 candidates ran for election. Representatives from 843 registered employee unions turned up to vote. The results of the election (according to the order in the list of candidates) are as follows: Candidates ------------ No. of votes obtained -------------- Mr Chong Yuk-shing Chairman, Hong Kong Security Guards Alliance 19 Mr Hugo Kan Kwok-leung Chairman, Alliance of Construction Industry Technical, Clerical and Managerial Staff 41 Ms Julie Lai Mei-chu* Chairman, Rights Association of Hawker Control Officers 572 Mr Lin Wai-ming Chairman, Hong Kong Construction Industry Professional Plant-Operators and Mechanics' Association 28 Mr Lam Wai-kong* Consultant, Motor Transport Workers General Union 757 Ms Tam Kam-lin* Vice-chairman, The Federation of Hong Kong & Kowloon Labour Unions 667 Ms Lai Na* President, Hong Kong Social Welfare Employees Association 572 Mr Jacky Ko Chung-kit Chairman, KOL Workers Association 16 Mr Lo Tai-chi* Chairman, Hong Kong & Kowloon Restaurant & Cafe Workers General Union 585 Mr Lam Chi-sing President, Hong Kong Construction and Engineering Personnel Association 26 Mr Siu Tak-hung Chairman, Hong Kong Environmental Protection Industry Staff Union 4 Mr Lo Chak-man Acting President, Government Educational Staff Union 15 Mr Fung Chuen-chung Chairman, Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union 177 * Elected The LAB is a high-level and representative tripartite consultative body appointed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare (in exercise of the authority delegated by the Chief Executive) to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters, including legislation and Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organisation. The Government will later announce the appointment of members to the LAB for a term of two years starting from January 1, 2023.
Transcript of remarks by SLW on Policy Address initiatives at media session
21.10.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, after attending a radio programme to elaborate on initiatives in "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address" this morning (October 21): Reporter: Mr Sun, on the scheme to hire overseas care workers for residential care homes, when can we expect the details of the scheme to be finalised, and also when can the first batch of workers arrive? Secretary for Labour and Welfare: On the importation of care workers for residential care homes, we are right now knocking out the exact detail of the special scheme. We hope we will be able to share with the public very soon about how we are going to relax the ratio control, to what extent we are going to expand the scheme. Our aim is to cover all residential care homes and also the exact proposal to speed up the whole process of application, vetting and approval. Right now, as you might recall, earlier in the year, in the light of the fifth wave of epidemic, we have introduced a one-off special scheme allowing all residential care homes to import a limited number of care workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme to help them. The end result of that scheme is about 3 000 applications and we have approved them all already. These some 3 000 quota would be good for two years, that should be enough to cater for their needs in the coming year and a bit beyond. This would allow us a bit of time to knock out and then implement the exact detail of the special scheme to meet the medium to long-term need of residential care homes. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
LWB driver tests positive for COVID-19
7.10.2022

The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) today (October 7) said that a driver of the LWB had undergone a rapid test and the result was positive for COVID-19. The driver is responsible for driving duties for the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun. He does not need to have contact with the public and has no recent travel history. He wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. He last performed duties today. Mr Sun has taken COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid tests at work every day and the results (including today) are negative.
Transcript of remarks by SLW on fatal work accident in Sau Mau Ping at media session
7.9.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, at a media session this afternoon (September 7) after his inspection of a construction site on Anderson Road, Sau Mau Ping, regarding a fatal work accident involving a tower crane fallen from height: Reporter: First question, when would this suspension of work for the construction site last, until when they can continue to start working again? Also, you mentioned that the crane itself has issue. Is the Government not doing enough to supervise and monitor the cranes used in construction sites in Hong Kong? What else will be doing following this incident? Lastly, will the Labour and Welfare Bureau be able to tell us which company was involved, the contractor or the sub-contractor? Perhaps tell us the name of the company involved in the installation of the crane? Thank you. Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We are going to issue a suspension notice to stop the work of the three tower cranes in this construction site. The notice will be enforced until proof is given to the Labour Department that they are safe to operate again, so there is no time limit to the suspension notice. It all depends on the site operator to prove to us, so that we are satisfied that these cranes can operate again. This is on the timing issue. For all the tower cranes in Hong Kong, their design, construction and operation are all subject to legal restrictions. We have a specific regulation (Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations) crafted just to regulate the safety of tower cranes. We are going to look into all the records and certificates issued and signed by recognised persons, so this will form part and parcel of our investigation into this very serious fatal industrial accident. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SLW visits Kai Tak Quarantine Centre (with photos/video)
1.9.2022

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, visited the Kai Tak Quarantine Centre (KTQC) at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal this afternoon (September 1) to learn more about the preparatory work prior to its commencement of operation tomorrow (September 2) and show appreciation to staff. Accompanied by the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, Mr Sun first took a look at the admission procedures for residents of residential care homes (RCHs) for the elderly identified as close contacts and subject to quarantine. He was then briefed by the care teams formed by Haven of Hope Christian Service and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals on the care services they will provide to the elderly during their stay. Nurses and personal care workers of the care team will provide the elderly with basic meals, nursing support and health monitoring, with an aim of catering for their needs as far as practicable. On-site cleaning teams will enhance disinfection to ensure environmental hygiene and prevent cross-infection. Mr Sun said, "Reactivating the KTQC aims to provide sufficient beds to look after RCH residents subject to quarantine to reduce the risk of cross-infection in RCHs. I am grateful to the organisations concerned for forming care teams within short notice to take care of the physical and psychological needs of the elderly during quarantine. The Inter-departmental Task Force to Enhance RCHs' Capabilities in Epidemic Fight has implemented a series of improvement measures and will continue to review their effectiveness to better protect the health of RCH residents." The KTQC has 786 beds in total and 260 of them are ready to come into operation tomorrow. The remaining beds may commence operation at any time depending on the development of the epidemic and the demand.