Hong Kong – LegCo Members visit staircases on slope of Lok Wah North Estate in Kwun Tong(with photos)
LegCo Members visit staircases on slope of Lok Wah North Estate in Kwun Tong(with photos)
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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council Members conducted a site visit at the staircases on the slope of Lok Wah North Estate in Kwun Tong today (October 12) to follow up on a complaint case relating to retrofitting barrier-free access facilities.
Accompanied by the representatives of the Housing Department, the Highways Department and the Kwun Tong District Office, Members observed the usage of the staircases by residents. Members then received a briefing by government representatives on the progress of the lift installation works at a footbridge near the staircases. Members also exchanged views with government representatives on retrofitting more comprehensive barrier-free access facilities.
Members who participated in the visit were Mr Tang Ka-piu (Convenor) and Mr Edward Leung.
LegCo Members visit Home of Blessings (with photos)
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The provisional payroll data of EPFO released on 20th August, 2022 highlights that EPFO has added 18.36 lakh net members in the month of June, 2022. For the month of June, 2022 the net member addition has increased by 9.21% as compared to the previous month of May, 2022. Year-on-year comparison of payroll data reflects that June, 2022 has registered an increase of 5.53 lakh in terms of net member addition comparing the corresponding month during last year in 2021.
Out of the total 18.36 lakh members added during the month, around 10.54 lakh new members have been covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952 for the first time. New member joining has shown a growing trend since April, 2022. Approximately 7.82 lakh net members exited but rejoined EPFO by changing their jobs within the establishments covered by EPFO and opted to transfer their funds from previous PF account to the current account instead of applying for final PF withdrawal. The new enrolment during the month is higher than the monthly average recorded during the last fiscal.
Age-wise comparison of payroll data indicates that the age-group of 22-25 years has registered the highest number of net enrolments with 4.72 lakh additions during June, 2022. This shows that many first-time job seekers are joining organized sector workforce in large numbers.
State-wise comparison of payroll figures highlights that the establishments covered in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi continue to remain in lead by adding approximately 12.61 lakh net members during the month, which is 68.66% of total net payroll addition across all age groups.
Gender-wise analysis indicates that enrollment of net female members has increased to 4.06 lakh in the current month from 3.43 lakh during last month, registering an increase of 18.37%. It is also observed that participation of female workforce in organised sector has been the highest in last 12 months. Accordingly the percentage share of net female member addition has increased from 20.37% in May 2022 to 22.09% in the month of June 2022.
The classification of industry-wise payroll data indicates that mainly two categories i.e. ‘expert services’ (consisting of manpower agencies, private security agencies and small contractors etc.) and ‘Trading-Commercial establishments’ constitute 47.63% of total member addition during the month. Comparing industry-wise data with that of previous month, higher enrollments have been noticed in industries namely, ‘Schools’, ‘Garments making’, ‘Expert services’ & ‘Textile’ etc.
The payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise, as updation of employee record is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month. From the month of April-2018, EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period September, 2017 onwards.
EPFO’s payroll is a part of the organized sector workforce for those establishments which are covered under the provisions of Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is a social security organization, which provides provident fund, pension benefits to the members on their retirement and family pension & insurance benefits to their families in case of untimely death of the member.
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ExCo Non-official Members visit Hong Kong Palace Museum (with photos)
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Two core members of syndicate arranging bogus marriages jailed for conspiracy to defraud and related offences
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Hong Kong – LegCo Members visit Home of Blessings (with photos)
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members went to the Home of Blessings operated by the Christian Concern for the Homeless Association today (October 6) to conduct the second site visit to follow up on issues relating to the support services for homeless women.
Accompanied by the representatives of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Members visited the Home of Blessings to learn more about the operation of self-financing boarding facilities for homeless women. Members also gained a better understanding of the dormitory design and hygiene situation of the Home of Blessings.
During the visit, Members exchanged views with the representatives of the SWD and the Home of Blessings on issues relating to enhancing the protection of residents’ privacy and improving the environmental hygiene situation of the boarding facilities.
Members who participated in the visit were Mr Tang Ka-piu (Convenor), Ms Elizabeth Quat, Ms Yung Hoi-yan and Ms Lam So-wai.
EPFO Payroll Data: EPFO Adds 18.36 Lakh Net Members In The Month Of June, 2022
(Release ID: 1853319)
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Hong Kong – ExCo Non-official Members visit Hong Kong Palace Museum (with photos)
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (July 20) visited the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) at the West Kowloon Cultural District to tour the opening exhibitions jointly curated by the HKPM and the Palace Museum.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the HKPM Board, Mr Bernard Chan, and the Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mrs Betty Fung, the ExCo Non-official Members first received a briefing from the Museum Director of the HKPM, Dr Louis Ng, on the exhibitions and facilities of the HKPM. They were then introduced to the design and architectural features of the museum. They also toured the galleries to view the priceless treasures on loan from the Palace Museum and other items. The HKPM’s opening exhibitions feature 914 priceless treasures that will go on display in rotation and together form the largest and finest selection of exhibits the Palace Museum has ever lent to another cultural institution outside the Mainland since its establishment in 1925. Many of the treasures are being exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time.
The Convenor of the ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, “The exhibits on loan from the Palace Museum is unprecedented both in terms of quantity and rarity. Among them, more than 100 exhibits are grade-one objects that are classified as national treasures. We are very grateful to the Central Government and the Palace Museum for their support for the cultural and arts development of Hong Kong. This is particularly meaningful for Hong Kong in proactively leveraging its positioning as set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which supports the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
The ExCo Non-official Members said they were pleased to know that the exhibitions of the HKPM have received an overwhelming public response since the museum’s opening early this month. They expressed appreciation to the museum for combining arts with technology in its gallery multimedia projects to enhance visitors’ experiences. They also said they are hopeful that the HKPM will achieve its objective of proactively promoting the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture to foster cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world and tell the story of China, including that of Hong Kong, through collaboration with cultural institutions from around the world, thus marking a new chapter in the advancement of Chinese arts and culture in Hong Kong.
The ExCo Non-official Members joining the visit today were Convenor Mrs Regina Ip, Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Joseph Yam, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Mr Kenneth Lau, Dr Moses Cheng, Mrs Margaret Leung, Mr Chan Kin-por, Mr Stanley Ng and Mr Gary Chan.
Hong Kong – Two core members of syndicate arranging bogus marriages jailed for conspiracy to defraud and related offences
The Special Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD) has smashed a bogus marriage syndicate involving the most cases on record. A 45-year-old male mastermind was earlier convicted of five counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of conspiracy to obtain services by deception while a 52-year-old female core syndicate member was convicted of five counts of conspiracy to defraud. They were each sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment at the District Court today (July 13).
The ImmD has been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining residency by means of contracting bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents, and has been aware that criminal syndicates have continually published via newspapers, instant messaging software and social networking mobile applications to induce young people to engage in bogus marriages for huge remuneration. Investigators identified two core members of a syndicate that recruited young people to engage in bogus marriages and further uncovered more than 100 bogus marriage cases following evidence collection through various channels. After in-depth investigation, the ImmD successfully smashed the syndicate. During the operations, investigators seized a number of bogus marriage-related documents and mobile phones. Investigation revealed that the syndicate was active between 2014 and 2018 and was believed to have arranged over 150 bogus marriages.
Up to now, a total of 164 Hong Kong and Mainland residents (85 males and 79 females) aged 20 to 65 were arrested. Apart from the two syndicate members who were sentenced to imprisonment today, 32 persons involved were sentenced to nine to 26 months’ imprisonment while some are pending sentencing by court. The operation is ongoing and more arrests may be made.
“The ImmD has been aware that crime syndicates have continually advertised and signalled with a ‘Make Quick Cash’ message via newspapers, instant messaging software and social networking mobile applications to induce local residents to engage in bogus marriages for huge remuneration. The syndicates would provide assistance in applying for marriage-related documents and accompany local residents for marriage registration in the Mainland. The syndicates even offer rewards to those who are already involved, for any recruiting of new members to the illicit business,” an ImmD spokesman said.
“The ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and related fraud activities of non-local residents. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their residence status and Hong Kong identity card will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin. Persons should not defy the law by participating in activities related to bogus marriages anywhere,” the spokesman stressed.
“Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for 14 years. According to section 42 of the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Any person who for the purpose of procuring a marriage, or a certificate or license for marriage, knowingly and wilfully makes a false oath or makes or signs a false declaration is guilty of an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for seven years and to a fine,” the spokesman warned.
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