Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 16) conducted an anti-counterfeiting operation to combat the sale of counterfeit jewellery. A total of 7 110 suspected counterfeit goods were seized, including jewellery, wallets and handbags with an estimated market value of about $400,000.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of counterfeit jewellery at fixed hawker pitches in Mong Kok. After in-depth investigation with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided five fixed hawker pitches in the district. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods were also seized. 

     During the operation, one man and three women were arrested, including one stall owner and three salespersons, aged from 30 to 41.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to combat sale of counterfeit goods.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.  

     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 17) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District have been suspended until further notice.

     First aid services will be maintained at the beach.

     A woman who went missing in Yuen Long has been located.

     Lau Pui-shan, aged 33, went missing after she was last seen on Fung Lok Lane on May 8 morning. Her boyfriend made a report to Police on May 10.

     The woman returned to her residence this morning (May 17).
     

     Eighty-five convictions were recorded in April 2019 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
      
     Ten of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, one was under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance, five were under the Noise Control Ordinance, eight were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, 12 were under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, 47 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, and two were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
      
     The heaviest fine in April was $20,000, assessed against a person who discharged waste/polluting matter into a water control zone.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on "Employment services provided by the Labour Department" (Chapter 3) of the Director of Audit's Report No.72 at 9am tomorrow (May 18) in Conference Room 2 of the LegCo Complex.

     Six witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.

     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: May 18, 2019 (Saturday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 2
 
Subject: Employment services provided by the Labour Department (Chapter 3 of the Director of Audit's Report No.72)

Witnesses:

Dr Law Chi-kwong
Secretary for Labour and Welfare

Mr Carlson Chan
Commissioner for Labour

Mr Charles Hui
Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Employment Services)

Ms Cindy Yim
Senior Labour Officer (Employment Services) (Operation)
Labour Department

Ms Catherine Law
Senior Labour Officer (Employment Services) (Policy)
Labour Department

Ms Jessie Lam
Senior Labour Officer (Youth Employment)
Labour Department

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.