A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (August 27) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice for EAs (the Code) at all times.
     
     The LD has revoked the EA licence of Teamway Employment Centre located in Wan Chai. The EA failed to meet the requirements as set out in the Code, including failing to draw up service agreements with foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and with employers; failing to include all required items in the service agreements signed with employers; failing to provide receipts for payments received from employers as soon as practicable; failing to include all required items in the receipts of payments issued to employers; failing to arrange for FDHs and employers to sign an acknowledgement on receipt of publications and sample forms; failing to arrange both parties to confirm in writing that they have been fully briefed about their rights and obligations; and failing to keep records relating to the dealings with FDHs and their employers, including acknowledgement regarding their receipt of the signed standard employment contract.

     Under section 53 (1) (c) (iva) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code.

     "The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner expects from EAs. The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into effect on February 9, 2018, stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers or operating an EA without a licence, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of the EO," the spokesman said.

     This is the third revocation of an EA licence in 2020. In 2019, there were nine cases of revocation or refusal of renewal of EA licences.

     For enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about their malpractices, please call the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

      The Department of Health (DH) today (August 27) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, Yung Shin Co Ltd, to recall a ranitidine-containing product, namely Vesyca FC Tablets 150mg (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-36650) from the market as a precautionary measure due to the possible presence of an impurity in the product.
 
      The DH received notification from the wholesaler that the manufacturer of the product in Taiwan is recalling the above product because it might contain an impurity, namely N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). As a precautionary measure, the wholesaler is voluntarily recalling the above product from the local market.

      NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests. The DH noted that certain ranitidine-containing products were found to contain NDMA in other countries, therefore a letter was sent to healthcare professionals on September 18, 2019, notifying them about the issue. The DH will closely monitor the development of the issue and any safety updates of the drug issued by overseas drug regulatory authorities for consideration of action deemed necessary.
 
      The above product, containing ranitidine, is an over-the-counter medicine used for the treatment of gastric diseases. According to the wholesaler, the product has been supplied to private doctors and pharmacies.
    
      The wholesaler has set up a hotline (2637 5131) to answer related enquiries.
 
      "So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the product. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     "Patients who are taking the above product should seek advice from their healthcare professionals for appropriate management. There are alternative medicines available on the market with similar indications," the spokesman added.
 

  

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 27, 2020 is 105.2 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) announced today (August 27) that two patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection passed away today.
      
     The patients with chronic diseases. The 81-year-old female patient (case number: 3960) was admitted to the TMH on August 7 due to fever and cough, and passed away at 11.55am today, while the 70-year-old male patient (case number: 2086) was admitted to the TMH on July 21 due to fever and asthma, and passed away at 12.17pm today.
      
     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patients and will offer necessary assistance to their families.
      
     Including the above case, 81 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     The Lands Department today (August 27) posted notices in accordance with section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) and section 14 of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (Chapter 370) for the resumption of land for the establishment of the Agricultural Park (Phase 1) in Kwu Tung South. The Phase 1 development comprises the formation of land, related infrastructure and associated park facilities as well as associated road works. The notices for the land resumption will be gazetted tomorrow (August 28).

     A total of 67 private lots with a total area of about 8 hectares will be resumed under the above-mentioned ordinances. The affected private lots will revert to the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. on November 28).

     Construction works are expected to commence within this year for completion in stages between 2021 and 2023.