The Civil Service Bureau announced today (June 12) that the Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) has decided that civil service pay for 2018-19 should be adjusted as follows, taking retrospective effect from April 1 this year:

(a) a pay increase of 4.06 per cent for civil servants in the upper salary band and the directorate (equal to the net pay trend indicator (PTI) for the upper salary band), subject to the pay points referred to in (i) and (ii) below, the dollar values of which should be as specified:

(i) Master Pay Scale 34 at $70,590; and

(ii) General Disciplined Services (Officer) Pay Scale (GDS(O)) 20 and Police Pay Scale (PPS) 36 at $70,470, and GDS(O) 21 and PPS 37 at $70,970; and

(b) a pay increase of 4.51 per cent for civil servants in the lower and middle salary bands (equal to the net PTI for the middle salary band).

     In arriving at this decision, the CE-in-Council has thoroughly considered the staff side's response to the pay offers and all the relevant factors under the established annual civil service pay adjustment mechanism, including:

* the net PTIs;
* the state of Hong Kong's economy;
* changes in the cost of living;
* the Government's fiscal position;
* the pay claims of the staff side; and
* civil service morale.

     The Government will submit the 2018-19 civil service pay adjustment proposal to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for consideration as soon as possible.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) successfully intercepted two cases of illegal import of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) from Thailand at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. The importer concerned, Sheen Bless Limited, was fined $26,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 12) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     In collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department, the EPD staff intercepted four imported containers from Thailand at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals in November and December last year. The containers were claimed to contain liquid crystal panels, but were actually loaded with hazardous e-waste comprising waste flat panel displays (FPDs), with a total market value of about $290,000. The containers intercepted were immediately returned to the place of origin. The EPD notified the foreign enforcement authorities concerned about the return shipments and instigated prosecution against the importer in accordance with the WDO.
      
     An EPD spokesman stressed that dismantled or destroyed FPDs are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal. To protect the environment, the EPD strictly controls 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 a valid permit. 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 Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Tai Po District this morning (June 12). He went to a secondary school and met with members of a merchants association and the Tai Po District Council to exchange views on various issues.
 
     Mr Lau first visited Ling Liang Church M H Lau Secondary School, where he toured the facilities of a creative robotics project that promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education by instilling creativity and logical thinking among students. He watched demonstrations on students making use of computer programming to control robots designed by themselves, and got to know how they felt about taking part in the project.

     Mr Lau said he was glad to see students making every effort to perfect their designs and he encouraged them to stay passionate in their pursuits.
 
     Mr Lau then proceeded to the Tai Po Merchants Association Limited and chatted with representatives on the business environment and topics of concern. 
 
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau met with members of the Tai Po District Council to exchange views on various issues including housing supply, demand-side management measures on the property market and the life annuity scheme.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 is 99.8 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     A commercial building construction site at Middle Road in Tsim Sha Tsui was found to have illegally carried out construction works at night. The contractor, Hong Kong Construction (General Builders) Limited, was fined a total of $12,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (June 12) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection at the above construction site after receiving a complaint last June. It was found that powered mechanical equipment was operating illegally at the site after 7pm, including the use of a concrete lorry for foundation works. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the contractor in accordance with the NCO.

     The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. An EPD spokesman stressed that construction contractors should schedule works for the daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible, so as to minimise noise nuisance to the surroundings. If the construction work has to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), the contractor has to obtain a valid construction noise permit (CNP) from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support that its noise level would comply with regulatory requirements. Only specified powered mechanical equipment could be used for the construction works and contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as stipulated by the CNP. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.