Hong Kong Maritime Delegation Concludes Successful Visit to Greece, Strengthening Maritime Cooperation Opportunities.

STL concludes visit to Athens

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), Mr Lam Sai-hung, concluded his visit to Athens, Greece, today (September 6, Athens time) with a delegation of HKMPB members.

Mr Lam arrived in Athens yesterday (September 5, Athens time) and met with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece, Mr Christos Stylianides, to exchange views on matters of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to further explore concrete co-operation opportunities. Mr Lam and the delegation also had a meeting with the Union of Greek Shipowners to promote Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services and the work of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.

Mr Lam then hosted a business dinner for Greek shipping companies and associations to strengthen connections and develop potential business prospects.

Referring to the close ties between the port and maritime communities of Greece, Hong Kong and Mainland China in various areas, including shipping operation and other high value-added maritime services, Mr Lam said, "Hong Kong and Greece have long enjoyed a cordial and enduring relationship, with our bilateral merchandise trade totalling about 200 million euros, an increase by around one-third of last year. The throughput tonnage between the two places also increased by 55 per cent during the same period, amounting to 220000 tonnes."

"This strong foundation of economic and people-to-people connections provides a solid basis for us to further deepen our collaboration in the maritime domain. Hong Kong is the gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world, and I believe there are tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong and Greece to collaborate and capitalise on our respective strengths in the port and maritime sector," he added.

Mr Lam and the delegation visited port facilities in Piraeus to learn about the operation of the Greek port today (September 6, Athens time). They then paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Mr Xiao Junzheng, to give him an update on the latest developments of Hong Kong's maritime industry.

Mr Lam and the delegation concluded the visit today and will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow (September 7, Hong Kong time).

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL concludes visit to Athens Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department launches special enforcement operation to ensure work safety

The Labour Department (LD) today (September 16) commenced a two-week special enforcement operation that targets construction sites of new works, with the aim of curbing unsafe work activities and ensuring the work safety of workers.

In view of the recent work accidents at construction sites, during the special enforcement operation, the LD will pay special attention to those high-risk construction sites and processes (e.g. lifting operation, work-at-height activity and electrical work). If any violations of the occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation are detected, the LD will take stringent enforcement actions immediately, including issuing suspension notices and improvement notices as well as initiating prosecutions without prior warning.

Under the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are obligated to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant legislation with serious circumstances can be prosecuted on indictment, which is subject to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction of other cases.

The LD reiterated that safeguarding the OSH of construction workers is the top priority of the LD. The LD will continue to conduct different enforcement operations from time to time, and rigorous enforcement actions will be taken for any violations of the OSH legislation.

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