The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 26 to jointly promote mutually recognised professional training and certifications under the Enhanced Competency Framework for Banking Practitioners (ECF). This would support talent development and facilitate mobility of talent for the banking industry in Hong Kong and Macao.
 
     Developed by the HKMA in collaboration with the banking industry, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) and other relevant professional bodies, the ECF provides a set of common competency standards for the industry. According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the HKMA and the AMCM have designated the HKIB and the Macau Institute of Financial Services (MIFS) to join hands in providing related professional training and implementing the mutual recognition of professional certifications under the ECF. The HKIB and the MIFS will also offer a bridging course on relevant laws and regulations of Hong Kong and Macao for banking practitioners in the respective jurisdictions.
 
     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said, "The co-operation between the HKMA and the AMCM to promote the ECF in Macao is a major milestone, signifying that we have entered a new stage in promoting talent development and facilitating the mobility of talent for the banking industry in Hong Kong and Macao. Whilst the ECF is not a mandatory licensing regime, we hope that through the ECF, banking practitioners will be encouraged to enhance their core competence and conduct. They could also gain a better understanding of the risks associated with their relevant professional areas. I am confident that our co-operation will help expand the pool of banking talent in Hong Kong and Macao and support the continued development of the banking industry in both jurisdictions."
 
     Executive Director of the Board of Directors of the AMCM Mr Simon Vong said, "The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AMCM and the HKMA on the introduction of the ECF will help strengthen the professional competence training for financial practitioners of Macao. We believe that this will help enhance the competence level of banking practitioners in Macao and achieve mutual recognition of certifications in both jurisdictions so as to provide higher standards of professional services to the residents of Macao and help promote Macao's status in international financial services."

  

     A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (October 30) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.

     The LD has recently revoked the licence of My Friends Service Limited, an EA located in Tsuen Wan, the licensee of which was earlier convicted of overcharging a job seeker.

     "Under the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a licence of an EA if the person operating or intending to operate an EA has contravened any provision of Part XII of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers, or if he or she has contravened a code of practice promulgated under section 62A(1) of the EO," the spokesman said.

     This is the sixth revocation/refusal of renewal of an EA licence this year. Previously, Familia Employment Agency located in Tai Po had its licence revoked after the licensee was convicted of overcharging three job seekers. Three other EAs, namely Tin Wai Employment Company Limited located in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited located in Kennedy Town, and Galaxy Maid Employment Consultants Limited located in Central and Causeway Bay, had their licences revoked respectively for the following reasons:
 

• Tin Wai Employment Company Limited: contravening the Code and providing misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the LD;
• Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited: contravening the Code by being involved in the financial affairs of job seekers, failing to issue payment receipts to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), and having the management fail to closely supervise its staff; and
• Galaxy Maid Employment Consultants Limited: contravening the Code by failing to include all required items in the service agreements with FDHs and their employers, failing to keep the written confirmations from FDHs and their employers declaring that they had been briefed about their statutory rights and obligations as well as the content of the Standard Employment Contract by the EA, and failing to keep records relating to the dealings with employers.

     Another EA, namely JK Company located in Mong Kok, also had its licence renewal refused because its licensee had contravened the Code by failing to draw up service agreements with FDHs and their employers.

     For enquiries or complaints about malpractice in regard to EAs, please call the LD's Employment Agencies Administration at 2115 3667, or visit its office at unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

     HKKS Company Service Limited (the Company) was prosecuted by the Companies Registry under sections 53F(1) and (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) for carrying on company service business without a licence. The Company pleaded guilty at Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) and was fined a total of $50,000 for the charges. In addition, the court also disqualified the Company from holding a licence for a period of six months.

     The new licensing regime for trust or company service providers commenced on March 1, 2018. Under the AMLO, such providers are required to apply for a licence from the Registrar of Companies before they can provide trust or company services as a business in Hong Kong. Any person who carries on a trust or company service business in Hong Kong without a licence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine up to $100,000 and imprisonment up to six months.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all that the Companies Registry will rigorously enforce the licensing regime for trust or company service providers," a spokesman for the Registry said.

     A local importer, Shun Xi Electronics Company Limited, illegally imported hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) from Chongqing and was fined $42,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). The company was also fined $36,000 for importing hazardous e-waste from Chongqing in September this year.
      
     With the assistance of the Customs and Excise Department, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff intercepted an imported container from Chongqing at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals in May this year. The container was claimed to contain computer parts, but upon inspection it was found to be loaded with hazardous e-waste comprising waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), waste batteries and waste flat panel displays (FPDs), with a total weight of about 1 tonne. The intercepted container was immediately returned to the place of origin. The EPD also notified the relevant department of the Mainland for follow-up and instigated prosecution against the importer in accordance with the WDO.  
      
     An EPD spokesman stressed that waste PCBs, waste batteries and waste FPDs are hazardous e-waste, containing various heavy metals and other toxic chemical substances. They are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal. To protect the environment, the EPD rigorously combats the illegal import and export activities of hazardous waste.
      
     The spokesman reminded importers of the waste recycling trade not to illegally import (including import into or transshipment through Hong Kong) or export hazardous waste. According to the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste without obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

    

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (October 30) the following arrangements for lifeguard services at its 38 gazetted beaches during the period between November 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019:

Golden Beach, Repulse Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach
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November 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019
Lifeguard services available from 8am to 5pm daily

Silver Mine Bay Beach
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November 1 to 30, 2018, and March 1 to 31, 2019
Lifeguard services available from 8am to 5pm daily
(Lifeguard services suspended from December 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019)

Clear Water Bay Second Beach
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After reopening in December 2018 (tentative) to March 31, 2019
Lifeguard services available from 8am to 5pm daily

     Lifeguard services at the following 12 LCSD beaches will be suspended from November 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019 during winter. These beaches are Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District; Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Castle Peak Beach and Kadoorie Beach in Tuen Mun District; and Anglers' Beach, Approach Beach, Hoi Mei Wan Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan District.

     Meanwhile, other gazetted beaches in Southern, Tsuen Wan, Islands and Sai Kung Districts, including Deep Water Bay Beach which is normally open all year round, will remain closed until further notice as much longer time is needed for repairing beach facilities and damaged shark prevention nets or clearing debris due to the severe damage brought about by the typhoon earlier. Red flags have been hoisted at these beaches.

     The LCSD calls on members of the public to observe water safety while swimming. People should swim at the beaches only when lifeguard services are available. Please do not enter the water when the red flag is hoisted.