The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 14 open meetings, two public hearings and three closed meetings during the week from Dece… read more
The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, visited Sai Kung District today (December 7) to call on a secondary school in Tseung Kwan O and meet with District Council members.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sai Kung District Council, Mr George Ng, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, Ms Cheng visited Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School. She was briefed by staff on how their students took part in the Mock Trial – Justice Education Project. A mock trial competition and other related educational activities are arranged for secondary school students under the Project to enhance their understanding of Hong Kong’s judicial system, rule of law and civic responsibility.
Ms Cheng observed students participating in simulated court proceedings and chatted with them. She encouraged students to continue joining various activities to strengthen their thinking and communication skills.
Ms Cheng then met with members of the Sai Kung District Council and exchanged views on issues of concern. read more
Eagle Development (Holdings) Company Limited and its manager were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages to an employee and defaulting on a sum awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) as required by the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its manager earlier pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts and were sentenced respectively to a fine of $5,000 and 120 hours’ community service today (December 7). Both defendants were ordered to pay a sum of about $42,000 via the court to the employee.
The company failed to pay an employee wages within seven days after the expiry of the last day of wage periods and termination of employment. The company also failed to pay the employee the awarded sum of about $42,000 in total within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award in accordance with the EO. The manager concerned was convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
​”The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and the awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” a spokesman for the LD said. read more
The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, visited Yau Tsim Mong District this afternoon (December 7) to view the West Kowloon Corridor and the pedestrian footbridge at Mong Kok Road, and meet with local Distri… read more
Hong Kong Customs today (December 7) arrested a male director and a male staff member of a fitness centre suspected of engaging in aggressive commercial practices in the course of selling fitness service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that staff members of a fitness centre in Mong Kok imposed undue influence in selling fitness services to three customers who were forced to procure fitness club membership valued at $14,000, $21,600 and $80,000 respectively.
After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two 26-year-old men.
Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops. Before making any purchase decision, consumers should be cautious in providing their identity cards or credit cards to a salesperson. Consumers should firmly refuse signing any documents if they do not clearly know the content and price of the service to be provided, or have no intention to purchase the service.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. The management staff will also be liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributed to their neglect.
​Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). read more