The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Task Force on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) released a consultation document today (May 23) to solicit views from members of the public on its preliminary recommendations.

     The Chairman of the Task Force, Dr Roy Chung, said, "VPET plays a pivotal role in broadening learning opportunities for youngsters and in-service personnel as well as nurturing the requisite human capital in support of Hong Kong's development. As society develops, VPET covers a wide spectrum of disciplines including engineering, business and administration, social service and other service sectors such as hospitality. There is room for the Government to step up its efforts to enable stakeholders to have a more comprehensive understanding about the latest developments of VPET so that more informed decisions can be made about pursuing VPET or other education and training pathways.

     The Task Force was set up in April 2018 to consider how VPET can be better promoted in the career and life planning education in secondary schools to cater for students' diverse abilities and interests and how to foster closer business-school collaboration through the Business-School Partnership Programme to meet the manpower needs of Hong Kong, and to study other VPET promotion measures. The Task Force hopes to formulate its recommendations having regard to different perspectives to further enhance the image and professionalism of VPET. The Task Force has arranged focus group meetings with various stakeholders, including students, teachers and principals, as well as representatives of VPET institutions and employers, to listen to their views on further promotion of VPET.

     The Task Force has made preliminary recommendations on various aspects. The major recommendations include: promote VPET in secondary schools through various channels (such as encouraging Business-School Partnership Programmes partners to provide career exploration activities for junior secondary school students) and through continued implementation of applied learning; review the positioning of VPET in the higher education system in Hong Kong, explore the merits of developing professional vocational qualifications at the degree level (e.g. vocational degree with primary orientation towards practical skills) and reinforce the role of Higher Diploma qualifications as a key VPET pathway at the post-secondary level; and build clear articulation pathways in the vocational sector or industries for school leavers and in-service personnel to progress to the professional level by establishing vocational qualifications under the Qualification Frameworks.

     The consultation document of the Task Force on Promotion of VPET has been uploaded to the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/about-edb/press/consultation/index.html). Stakeholders are invited to send their views and suggestions to the Task Force by post (Further Education Division, Education Bureau, 7/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong), by fax (2899 2967) or by email (taskforce_vpet@edb.gov.hk) on or before July 12, 2019.

     The following is issued on behalf of the Pay Trend Survey Committee:

     The Pay Trend Survey Committee (the Committee) met today (May 23) to consider the findings of the 2019 Pay Trend Survey.
          
     The survey findings indicate that the following average pay adjustments have been awarded by the surveyed companies over the 12-month period from April 2, 2018 to April 1, 2019:
 

     The 2019 Pay Trend Survey was conducted by the Pay Survey and Research Unit of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service based on an improved methodology as approved by the Chief Executive-in-Council in March 2007.
 
     The survey results reflect the pay trend in 108 companies covering 146 116 employees over the 12-month period from April 2, 2018 to April 1, 2019. The survey takes into account adjustments to basic salary and additional payments awarded to employees of the surveyed companies attributable to factors in relation to the cost of living, general prosperity and company performance, general changes in market rates, merit and inscale increment, in accordance with the improved survey methodology.
 
     A breakdown of the 108 companies by size is as follows:
 

                        
     The distribution of the 146 116 employees by the three salary bands is as follows:
 

 
     The Committee met on May 23, 2019 to verify and consider validating the 2019 Pay Trend Survey Report. The two representatives of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, the representative of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service, the two representatives of the Civil Service Bureau, the Secretary General of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service, the three Staff Side representatives of the Model Scale 1 Staff Consultative Council, the two Staff Side representatives of the Senior Civil Service Council and the two Staff Side representatives of the Police Force Council validated the survey findings.
 
     The meeting was chaired by Mr Lee Luen-fai, Chairman of the Pay Trend Survey Committee. Mr Lee is a member of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service.
              
     Mr Lee said, "The 2019 Pay Trend Survey was conducted in accordance with the agreed methodology and in a professional and objective manner. The Pay Trend Survey Committee will submit the Committee Report to the Government for consideration."
 
     "The relevant pay trend indicators are the result of a survey of the pay trend in companies of the private sector. Civil service pay adjustment is, however, a separate matter. In accordance with the established practice, the Government will take into account the pay trend indicators derived from the Pay Trend Survey and other pertinent considerations before making a decision on the 2019-2020 civil service pay adjustment," Mr Lee added.
 
     Mr Lee wishes to express the Committee's sincere appreciation for the co-operation and assistance rendered by the companies to the Pay Survey and Research Unit.

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.

     Leung Man-tung, aged 84, went missing after he left his residence in Shek Kip Mei Estate on May 21 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Princess Margaret Road in Hung Hom in the small hours today (May 23). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

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 23) 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.