â€‹A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (May 19) 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 K & H Employment Agency, an EA located in Tin Shui Wai, the licensee of which was earlier convicted of overcharging a foreign domestic helper.
     
     Under section 53(1)(c)(iv) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour (Commissioner) may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII of the EO or any regulation made under section 62.
     
     "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 second 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
     
     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning May 25:
 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 is 108.8 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, visited the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (May 19) to learn about its latest developments. Also joining the visit was the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi.
 
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the HKPC, Mr Willy Lin, Mr Sit started his visit to the HKPC by meeting with the management team. The Executive Director of the HKPC, Mr Mohamed Butt, gave an update on the HKPC's core areas and latest business initiatives. A tour of smart manufacturing and testing facilities enabled Mr Sit to have a better understanding of the HKPC's efforts in offering technological support to facilitate enterprises in moving towards high value-added production and gradually upgrading towards Industry 4.0. These include co-operating with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology in Germany to implement the Industry 4.0 Upgrade and Recognition Programme as well as assisting the industry in accelerating the adoption of innovative industrial technologies and promoting the development of smart industry and digital manufacturing via the jointly established Invention Centre.
 
     Mr Sit had a chat with the HKPC's staff working in fields such as smart mobility, food technology and intelligent robotics laboratory. He encouraged them to continue their partnership and collaboration with local industries and enterprises to enhance their productivity and competitiveness through licensing and technology transfer.
 
     The visit also covered the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) managed by the HKPC. The Government Computer Emergency Response Team has been working closely with the HKCERT to promote information security awareness in the community and handle cyber security threats and incidents that could affect the private sector and the general public.
 
     Mr Sit said that the HKPC has been committed to assisting enterprises in upgrading and transformation. It is also the implementation agent for several government funding schemes including the $500 million Distance Business Programme (D-Biz Programme) under the Anti-epidemic Fund. The HKPC is the Secretariat of the D-Biz Programme.
 
     "The COVID-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of life, work, education, entertainment and consumer behavior, inflicting damage on the real economy. Yet online shopping has been getting more popular. As crisis brings opportunities, the pandemic prompts us to rethink the way businesses operate with the aid of technologies. It may help offset the impact of the pandemic on our economy and drive a wider application of technologies. We launched the D-Biz Programme to provide enterprises with funding up to $300,000 in adopting information technology solutions for developing distance business. This in turn can accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises while supporting enterprises and safeguarding jobs," Mr Sit said.
 
     Mr Sit hoped that the HKPC will continue taking forward its mission to enhance productivity and competitiveness of industries and enterprises and provide the impetus to sustain Hong Kong's economic development.

    

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 Fubon Bank (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.