The Labour Department (LD) today (October 14) announced the imposition of an administrative sanction on Wilson Logistics Limited. With immediate effect, the LD has terminated the processing of an application for importing labour previously submitted by the company under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS). In parallel, the LD will, from today, refuse to process any applications submitted by the company for a period of one year.

     A spokesman for the LD said, "After an investigation, it was established that the above company had breached the following requirements under the ESLS. An administrative sanction is thus imposed for the following reasons: 

     (i) providing the LD with false information on the number of full-time local employees; and

     (ii) failing to fulfil the 2:1 manning ratio of full-time local employees to imported workers continuously after importing labour."

     The spokesman stressed, "Employers applying for the importation of workers under the ESLS should strictly comply with the scheme requirements, including according priority to employing suitable local workers. The ESLS stipulates that if an employer violates labour or immigration laws, the requirements of the ESLS, or the Standard Employment Contract, the LD will impose an administrative sanction on the employer. Such sanctions may include terminating the processing of submitted applications of the employer, withdrawing approvals for the importation of workers previously granted, and refusing to process any subsequent applications submitted by the employer."

     ​Following is a question by the Hon Chu Lap-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):

Question:

     The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) set up the MTR Fare Savers in 2002 to provide adult Octopus card holders with a fare discount of $2 per trip. However, the MTRCL has indicated that with market changes over the years, the ways it provides fare promotions and concessions have evolved as well, and the MTRCL is reviewing the sustainability of such scheme. It has been reported that the MTRCL's remarks have aroused concerns among the grass roots about an increase in transport expenditure. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it knows the respective numbers and locations of new MTR Fare Savers set up by the MTRCL in each of the past two years, and provide a breakdown of the monthly patronage, operating expenditure, and total amount of fare revenue foregone for each MTR Fare Saver across Hong Kong;

(2) whether the Government has regularly assessed and reviewed the utilisation rates of various MTR Fare Savers and their impact on the passenger flow of the surrounding public transport modes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) whether it knows the purpose of setting up the Futian MTR Fare Saver, and of its patronage and total amount of fare revenue foregone in the past two years;

(4) whether it knows if the MTRCL has regularly collected views from and held discussions with various District Councils about setting up MTR Fare Savers at suitable locations in the districts concerned; if so, of the number of new MTR Fare Savers proposed to be set up in each of the past two years;

(5) given that MTR Fare Savers are not set up in quite a number of districts in Hong Kong at present, rendering local residents unable to be benefited from the scheme, whether the Government has urged the MTRCL to regularly review the locations of MTR Fare Savers and formulate a timetable for conducting such reviews; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(6) since I have learnt that many members of the public consider that MTR Fare Savers are important platform for saving transport expenditure, and given that the Government is the majority shareholder of the MTRCL, whether the Government will ensure that the MTRCL consults the Legislative Council and the public before making any decision to reduce the number of or cancel MTR Fare Savers, and also ensure the introduction of alternative options offering concessions which are no less favourable than those currently provided;

(7) as the MTRCL has indicated earlier that it is actively exploring new promotion offers and platforms, with the growing popularity of the MTR mobile application, whether the Government knows if the MTRCL will fully transition from collecting concessions by tapping physical card to collection via the MTR mobile application in the future; if so, how the Government will ensure that the MTRCL takes into account the ability of the grass roots to apply technology, so as to alleviate the problem of the digital divide; and

(8) whether the Government and the MTRCL will consider utilising the MTR mobile application to further identify underprivileged groups such as low-income persons and carers, so as to allocate promotional resources more accurately and fulfil corporate social responsibility?

Reply:

President, 

     MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) has been providing various fare promotions and concessions for its passengers, such as the regular fare concessions offered to the elderly, children, eligible students, and persons with disabilities. In 2025, this concession benefited over 600 million passenger trips, reflecting a financial commitment exceeding $3.2 billion, reaching historical high. 

     In response to Member's questions, having consulted the MTRCL, the reply is as follows:

(1) and (2) The MTRCL established the MTR Fare Saver scheme in 2002 with a view to attracting passengers who are situated further away from MTR stations to walk to a nearby MTR station and travel by MTR by offering fare discounts. Passengers could enjoy a $2 fare discount by tapping their adult Octopus over the reader on the MTR Fare Saver and boarding a train at the corresponding designated MTR station. Currently, the MTRCL has set up MTR Fare Savers at 41 locations in Hong Kong, with four, 18 and 19 readers located respectively on/in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. The list of locations of all MTR Fare Savers is at Annex. Amongst them, the most utilised MTR Fare Saver is located at Central-Mid-Levels Escalators and Walkway System, which encourages passengers to walk to Central, Hong Kong or Sheung Wan Station to ride the MTR. MTR Fare Saver is part of the MTRCL's commercial promotion schemes. The fare discounts and concessions amount are fully borne by the MTRCL, and information regarding its utilisation, operating expenses and concession amount is internal commercial information of the MTRCL. It is understood that the MTRCL currently has no plan to adjust the arrangement of the existing MTR Fare Saver. The MTRCL will continue to review and update various promotion measures from time to time, and maintain communication with stakeholders. 

(3) In order to attract passengers from Shenzhen to Hong Kong through Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point to travel by MTR at Lok Ma Chau Station, the MTRCL has set up a MTR Fare Saver at Futian Checkpoint Station on the Shenzhen Metro Line 4, which it operates. Passengers having tapped their adult Octopus or JoyYou Card (for passengers aged 60 to 64) at the reader will enjoy a $3 fare discount for their journey. 

(4) to (6) The MTRCL always maintains close communication with various stakeholders (including the Legislative Council, District Councils, and local communities) regarding MTR services, and will upgrade its facilities continuously taking into consideration various factors such as district development and residents' needs. For instance, following the commissioning of the full Tuen Ma Line and the opening of Sung Wong Toi and To Kwa Wan stations, the MTRCL set up MTR Fare Savers at Jubilant Plaza in To Kwa Wan and To Kwa Wan Sports Centre respectively in 2022 and 2023, providing concessions to local residents and passengers. 

     In light of market conditions, the Government encourages public transport operators to endeavour to provide fare concessions to passengers, having regard to the operating environment as well as social and economic conditions. The MTRCL has launched multiple fare concessions while taking into account its operating situation and the need to maintain its long-term financial sustainability. Apart from regular fare concessions provided to the elderly, children, eligible students and persons with disabilities, the MTRCL also provides a series of fare promotions benefitting those commuting to work, such as City Saver, various Monthly Passes, Early Bird Discount and interchange discount for green minibus routes. 

(7) and (8) Along with the continuous expansion of the MTR network and the changes in passengers travelling patterns and behaviours over the years, the MTRCL reviews its concessions from time to time and actively explores different models and platforms to deploy promotional resources in a more precise manner. Currently, passengers can earn MTR points by riding MTR with registered Octopus cards linked to their MTR Mobile accounts, and redeem rewards such as free MTR rides. The MTR Mobile application also features various types of mini-games, "MTR Instant Bonus" quiz game and surveys for users to earn MTR points. The MTRCL also continuously enhanced its promotion efforts via different channels, including educational demonstrations and videos on its official MTR website, mobile application and social media platforms to introduce how to link Octopus cards to the MTR Mobile application and redeem ride concessions, thereby supporting grassroots citizens and the elderly. 

     In addition, the Government has implemented the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) since 2019 to alleviate the financial burden on commuters with relatively high public transport expenses. There are no age or income restrictions under the Scheme. Currently, the Government subsidises one-third of the actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of the monthly threshold (i.e. $500) incurred by commuters, subject to a maximum of $400 per month for each Octopus and each AlipayHK account.

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

     The Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF) announces that the 2027 intake of the Financial Leaders Programme (FLP) will open for application tomorrow (October 15). Since its launch in 2022, with the support of the financial regulators in Hong Kong (Note) and the participating institutions, the programme has cultivated a vibrant community of more than 100 future financial leaders for Hong Kong. 
      
     The FLP offers unique opportunities for participants to engage in direct dialogues with global and local distinguished leaders across diverse sectors and further expand cross-sector professional networks, strengthening their strategic mindset needed to navigate the continual shifts in macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics.     
      
     The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Chairman of the AoF, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "In today's dynamic environment, our future financial leaders must possess the long-term vision, innovative mindset and robust expertise to uphold Hong Kong's status as a premier international financial centre. I strongly encourage senior financial executives to seize this opportunity to join or nominate promising candidates."
      
     Tailored for high-potential senior financial executives from diverse backgrounds who are approximately one to two levels below the chief executive officers position, this programme will be offered on a part-time basis. Applications of the 2027 intake will be accepted on or before December 4. Further information about the FLP, including feedback from past participants and the application form, is available on the AoF website.

Note: Namely the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Insurance Authority, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission.

 

     Following is a question by the Hon Leung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):
 
Question:
 
     It is reported that massage services advertised with terms such as "foot fetish" and "face-stepping" have proliferated in the community in recent months. There are views that the promotional content and business models of such services cause nuisance to the nearby communities and have aroused public concerns about the possible involvement of such premises in illegal sex trade. However, as these premises only provide localised massage services on body parts such as feet and face, they are currently not regulated under the licensing regime of the Massage Establishments Ordinance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective number of inspections of and law enforcement actions against massage establishments conducted by the Government in each of the past three years; among such cases, the number of those involving premises providing localised massage services on body parts such as feet and face; and the number of prosecutions brought against and convictions of the owners or operators of such premises for alleged offences under the Crimes Ordinance;
 
(2) whether the Government will consider amending the Massage Establishments Ordinance, including changing the licensing threshold for massage establishments from being defined by "body parts" to taking into account the nature and context of services, so as to comprehensively regulate all massage premises suspected of providing pornographic services; and
 
(3) as it is reported that the aforesaid premises carry out promotional and solicitation activities through online social media platforms and discussion forums using terms such as "unusual fetishes" and "sexual innuendo", whether the Government will strengthen interdepartmental intelligence gathering and law enforcement in the future to combat such promotional activities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Massage Establishments Ordinance (Cap. 266) aims to regulate massage establishments through a licensing regime in order to prevent and combat vice or illegal prostitution activities committed by criminals in these establishments. The Ordinance was amended in 2001 to narrow the regulatory scope so that only massage premises offering full-body massage (i.e. covering that part of the body below the shoulders and above the knees) to customers of the opposite sex are required to obtain a licence, with a view to striking a proper balance between controlling vice activities and not hindering legitimate massage businesses.
      
     Under the Ordinance, any person who operates, keeps, manages, assists in any capacity in the operation of, or assists in the management of, a massage establishment for the operation of which a licence is not in force commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months on first conviction, and a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
 
     My reply to the questions raised by the Member is as follows:

(1) The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducts regular surprise inspections of licensed massage establishments under section 11(1) of the Ordinance to combat vice activities or premises in breach of relevant licensing conditions. If a licensee breaches any licensing condition, or ceases to satisfy any condition relating to the operation of a massage establishment as prescribed in the Ordinance, the HKPF may, depending on the circumstances, issue a warning or consider revoking, suspending or refusing to renew the licence. 

     The HKPF will take resolute law enforcement actions against any premises involved in illegal activities, including those suspected of operating unlicensed massage establishments. For instance, in July this year, the Sham Shui Po District of the HKPF, acting on intelligence, conducted a surprise inspection and cracked down an unlicensed massage establishment in Cheung Sha Wan which advertised so-called "barefoot facial" massage. Two persons were arrested on suspicion of "operating an unlicensed massage establishment" and "assisting in the management of an unlicensed massage establishment". The case is currently under investigation.
      
     The relevant statistics of the HKPF's efforts against unlicensed massage premises over the past three years are tabulated below:
 

Year	Number of persons arrested	Number of persons prosecuted	Number of persons convicted
2024	114	13	13
2025	65	11	11
2026 (as at end-August)	17	2	1 (another prosecution case is under trial)

     The above figures include arrests made in respect of offences including "prohibition on operating etc. massage establishment without a licence" under section 4 of the Ordinance, "keeping a vice establishment" under section 139 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), "breach of condition of stay" and "offence to be employer of a person who is not lawfully employable" under section 41 and section 17I respectively of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). The HKPF does not maintain information on the types of services provided by the premises involved.

(2) The HKPF has all along been committed to combating all forms of illegal prostitution activities. In respect of premises suspected of providing pornographic services, regardless of whether they hold a licence issued under the Ordinance, section 139 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) ("keeping a vice establishment") provides that any person who keeps any premises, vessel or place as a vice establishment; or manages or assists in the management, or is otherwise in charge or control, of any premises, vessel or place kept as a vice establishment, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for ten years. 

     As mentioned above, the Government amended the Ordinance in 2001 to narrow the regulatory scope, including specifically stipulating that only massage establishments offering full-body massage to customers of the opposite sex are required to obtain a licence, and defining "full-body massage" as covering that part of the body below the shoulders and above the knees. The Government currently has no plan to amend the licensing threshold under the Ordinance. The HKPF will continue to closely monitor the modes of operation of massage premises using different descriptions to attract customers, and take resolute law enforcement actions against any premises involved in illegal activities, including those providing pornographic services.

(3) On intelligence gathering and law enforcement against illegal activities involving prostitution, the HKPF, apart from patrolling black spots, conducts intelligence-led operations, including deploying officers to disguise as customers to collect evidence and strengthening inspection of suspicious premises. The HKPF also adopts an interdepartmental collaboration strategy by conducting joint enforcement actions with relevant departments (including the Labour Department and the Immigration Department) to combat the offences concerned. At the same time, the HKPF will continue to closely monitor the trend of using websites and online social media platforms to conduct illegal prostitution activities, and gather intelligence via online channels to facilitate the deployment of targeted enforcement actions. 

     The Government will continue to monitor market developments, including the modes of operation of massage establishments, and review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Ordinance on an ongoing basis. The Government will remain committed to preventing and combating the use of massage premises by criminals for vice and illegal prostitution activities, while not hindering the operation of legitimate massage businesses.

     Following is a question by the Hon Leung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):
 
Question:
 
     It is reported that massage services advertised with terms such as "foot fetish" and "face-stepping" have proliferated in the community in recent months. There are views that the promotional content and business models of such services cause nuisance to the nearby communities and have aroused public concerns about the possible involvement of such premises in illegal sex trade. However, as these premises only provide localised massage services on body parts such as feet and face, they are currently not regulated under the licensing regime of the Massage Establishments Ordinance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective number of inspections of and law enforcement actions against massage establishments conducted by the Government in each of the past three years; among such cases, the number of those involving premises providing localised massage services on body parts such as feet and face; and the number of prosecutions brought against and convictions of the owners or operators of such premises for alleged offences under the Crimes Ordinance;
 
(2) whether the Government will consider amending the Massage Establishments Ordinance, including changing the licensing threshold for massage establishments from being defined by "body parts" to taking into account the nature and context of services, so as to comprehensively regulate all massage premises suspected of providing pornographic services; and
 
(3) as it is reported that the aforesaid premises carry out promotional and solicitation activities through online social media platforms and discussion forums using terms such as "unusual fetishes" and "sexual innuendo", whether the Government will strengthen interdepartmental intelligence gathering and law enforcement in the future to combat such promotional activities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Massage Establishments Ordinance (Cap. 266) aims to regulate massage establishments through a licensing regime in order to prevent and combat vice or illegal prostitution activities committed by criminals in these establishments. The Ordinance was amended in 2001 to narrow the regulatory scope so that only massage premises offering full-body massage (i.e. covering that part of the body below the shoulders and above the knees) to customers of the opposite sex are required to obtain a licence, with a view to striking a proper balance between controlling vice activities and not hindering legitimate massage businesses.
      
     Under the Ordinance, any person who operates, keeps, manages, assists in any capacity in the operation of, or assists in the management of, a massage establishment for the operation of which a licence is not in force commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months on first conviction, and a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
 
     My reply to the questions raised by the Member is as follows:

(1) The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducts regular surprise inspections of licensed massage establishments under section 11(1) of the Ordinance to combat vice activities or premises in breach of relevant licensing conditions. If a licensee breaches any licensing condition, or ceases to satisfy any condition relating to the operation of a massage establishment as prescribed in the Ordinance, the HKPF may, depending on the circumstances, issue a warning or consider revoking, suspending or refusing to renew the licence. 

     The HKPF will take resolute law enforcement actions against any premises involved in illegal activities, including those suspected of operating unlicensed massage establishments. For instance, in July this year, the Sham Shui Po District of the HKPF, acting on intelligence, conducted a surprise inspection and cracked down an unlicensed massage establishment in Cheung Sha Wan which advertised so-called "barefoot facial" massage. Two persons were arrested on suspicion of "operating an unlicensed massage establishment" and "assisting in the management of an unlicensed massage establishment". The case is currently under investigation.
      
     The relevant statistics of the HKPF's efforts against unlicensed massage premises over the past three years are tabulated below:
 

Year	Number of persons arrested	Number of persons prosecuted	Number of persons convicted
2024	114	13	13
2025	65	11	11
2026 (as at end-August)	17	2	1 (another prosecution case is under trial)

     The above figures include arrests made in respect of offences including "prohibition on operating etc. massage establishment without a licence" under section 4 of the Ordinance, "keeping a vice establishment" under section 139 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), "breach of condition of stay" and "offence to be employer of a person who is not lawfully employable" under section 41 and section 17I respectively of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). The HKPF does not maintain information on the types of services provided by the premises involved.

(2) The HKPF has all along been committed to combating all forms of illegal prostitution activities. In respect of premises suspected of providing pornographic services, regardless of whether they hold a licence issued under the Ordinance, section 139 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) ("keeping a vice establishment") provides that any person who keeps any premises, vessel or place as a vice establishment; or manages or assists in the management, or is otherwise in charge or control, of any premises, vessel or place kept as a vice establishment, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for ten years. 

     As mentioned above, the Government amended the Ordinance in 2001 to narrow the regulatory scope, including specifically stipulating that only massage establishments offering full-body massage to customers of the opposite sex are required to obtain a licence, and defining "full-body massage" as covering that part of the body below the shoulders and above the knees. The Government currently has no plan to amend the licensing threshold under the Ordinance. The HKPF will continue to closely monitor the modes of operation of massage premises using different descriptions to attract customers, and take resolute law enforcement actions against any premises involved in illegal activities, including those providing pornographic services.

(3) On intelligence gathering and law enforcement against illegal activities involving prostitution, the HKPF, apart from patrolling black spots, conducts intelligence-led operations, including deploying officers to disguise as customers to collect evidence and strengthening inspection of suspicious premises. The HKPF also adopts an interdepartmental collaboration strategy by conducting joint enforcement actions with relevant departments (including the Labour Department and the Immigration Department) to combat the offences concerned. At the same time, the HKPF will continue to closely monitor the trend of using websites and online social media platforms to conduct illegal prostitution activities, and gather intelligence via online channels to facilitate the deployment of targeted enforcement actions. 

     The Government will continue to monitor market developments, including the modes of operation of massage establishments, and review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Ordinance on an ongoing basis. The Government will remain committed to preventing and combating the use of massage premises by criminals for vice and illegal prostitution activities, while not hindering the operation of legitimate massage businesses.