Labour Department Withdraws Recognition of LRB for Violating Safety Training Course Regulations

2024-09-06 09:00 Last Updated At：12:20

Labour Department strengthens regulation of Mandatory Safety Training Course providers

The Labour Department (LD) today (September 6) withdrew the recognition of L.R.B. Partnership Human Resources Limited (LRB), for conducting the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) (generally known as Green Card Course) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap. 59) for workers employed at industrial undertakings engaging in construction work.

LRB was found to have breached the approval conditions attached to the conducting of the course. Multiple violations were found in two classes held by LRB in July this year, including insufficient teaching hours and one class being taught by an unapproved trainer. Additionally, the trainer did not follow the prescribed syllabus to provide practical training, and even allowed 21 trainees who had not completed the practical training to take the examinations and issued the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) certificates (Green Cards) to these trainees. On the directive of the LD, LRB has retrieved and cancelled 15 Green Cards, and the remaining six Green Cards that have not been retrieved have also been invalidated. The numbers of the not yet retrieved Green Cards are listed in the Annex.

After conducting a thorough investigation and evidence collection, and considering the explanations and representations made by LRB and the involved trainer, the LD considered the nature of the violations to be extremely serious and decided to withdraw their recognition. The involved trainer was also disqualified from teaching the relevant Green Card Course.

The LD attaches great importance to occupational safety and health (OSH). Pursuant to the risk-based principle, the LD formulates and adjusts corresponding strategies of inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion as well as education and training in a timely manner to actively promote the OSH culture. Enhancing the quality of recognised safety training course providers (TCPs) and their trainers is a crucial part of the education and training strategy. Since April this year, the LD has conducted special inspection operations targeting these TCPs and increased manpower to inspect the TCPs to ensure the quality of the courses.

A spokesman for the LD said, "The LD is highly concerned about the quality of mandatory safety training courses. We will flexibly deploy manpower as needed to conduct special inspection operations to monitor whether the recognised TCPs comply with the approval conditions so as to ensure the standard of the training courses, allowing workers to receive appropriate OSH training and understand the importance of work safety. If the TCPs do not comply with the approved conditions set by the LD, their recognition to operate the relevant courses would be withdrawn.The LD will continue to closely monitor and improve the quality of the TCPs and their trainers, and strive to enhance the standard of OSH in Hong Kong."

In addition to explaining safety knowledge, legal requirements and work ethics to TCPs and their trainers through various channels, the LD also regularly co-organises online public lectures on "Professional Ethics and Conduct of Trainer of Mandatory Safety Training Courses" with the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, for TCPs and trainers to enrol. The LD also held an "Online Seminar on Regulating Mandatory Safety Training Course Providers" on August 5 this year to allow the relevant providers and trainers to clearly understand the requirements and penalty mechanism of the approved conditions.

Currently, there are 123 recognised TCPs for the Green Card Courses. The relevant course information is available on the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content5.htm). Individuals who need to take the course may enrol with these recognised providers. For enquiries, please call the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre hotline at 2940 7064 or the department's occupational safety and health advisory service hotline at 2559 2297.

Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025 Opens with More Than Joy Theme and Diverse Programs.

2025-04-04 19:05 Last Updated At：19:18

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival opens today

The opening ceremony of the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF) was held today (April 4) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the PCF this year is themed "More Than Joy". Audiences can appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible in addition to joy and laughter.

The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and an actor of the opening film "The Banquet" (1991), Mr Eric Tsang, officiated at the opening ceremony.

The opening programme, "Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)", began after the ceremony. Pop singer Alfred Hui, a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey (Eric So) together with a live band performed songs from classic comedy films with fresh arrangements by renowned musician Ng Cheuk-yin. The digitally restored version of "The Banquet" (1991) was screened following the performance. Blending entertainment with cultural artistry, the audience was offered a fresh and inspiring perspective on the vibrancy of Hong Kong's pop culture.

Another highlight programme that kicks off the PCF is outdoor music carnival "ImagineLand 2025" to be held tomorrow (April 5) and on Sunday (April 6) at the HKCC Piazza, and the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, "ImagineLand 2025" features both daytime and evening programmes, encompassing music, films, comics, and more.

During "ImagineLand 2025", "Go Beyond Concert", "Comics Fun Experience Gallery" and "Funarts Corner" will be available during the day, while film programme "Movie Under the Stars" will be held at night. Over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine will perform on the three stages of "Go Beyond Concert", showcasing boundless possibilities of music across the performances. Major line-ups of local artists include Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Yatfung, Cloud, Ashley Lin, Pandora, Wan Pin Chu and more, performing mesmerising popular songs and original works.

At "Comics Fun Experience Gallery", Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras will be displayed to highlight the creativity of local artists with immersive photo-taking opportunities. The exhibition also features the works of local humourist cartoonists and explores how comics intertwine with the city's pop culture. Workshops on art, music, and crafts will be available for the public at "Funarts Corner". In the evenings, two comedies, "Table For Six" (2022) and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996)", will be screened at "Movie Under the Stars" tomorrow and on Sunday respectively, allowing audiences to enjoy outdoor films while relaxing on the lawn.

Other highlights include the "Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular" film screening programme; exhibitions "Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics" and "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s"; concerts "The 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands 'The Animated Melodies - Our Nostalgic Memories'", "Ko Shan Fest" and "Music & Laughs", and more. To support the PCF's theme of "More Than Joy", the Hong Kong Public Libraries will also organise book displays and subject talks in a series of activities under the theme of "Happy Reading".

Several industry partners are also offering a range of events as part of the festival, which are not to be missed.

Hong Kong's pop culture has drawn inspiration particularly from humour, a constant trendsetter that has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city's rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. The PCF 2025, with more than 20 programmes, not only delights audiences with exciting performances and works but also offers insight into the development paths of Hong Kong's pop culture along the line of "happiness". By participating in these activities, audiences will be able to discover their own happiness.

For more details, please visit the website: www.pcf.gov.hk, or call 2601 8703.