Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, today (September 17) held a courtesy meeting with the newly appointed Head of Office of the European Union (EU) to Hong Kong, Mr Harvey Rouse, at the Customs Headquarters Building. This was the Mr Rouse's first visit to Hong Kong Customs since assuming his post early this month.
In the meeting, the two reviewed the strong economic and trade connections and the close relationship between the EU and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the ongoing collaborative efforts of Hong Kong Customs and the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission on Customs administrative assistance and enforcement co-operation. Both sides also discussed and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, such as combating cross-boundary drug trafficking, protecting intellectual property rights, and implementing the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement.
Ms Ho stressed that Hong Kong Customs has been committed to maintaining close collaboration with international and regional partners to promote trade facilitation and uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub. While welcoming the visit from the Head of Office of the EU to Hong Kong, Ms Ho expressed her belief that facilitating international trade and safeguarding community safety through customs co-operation benefits both the HKSAR and EU member states, and meets the expectations of the international community stakeholders.
This meeting reinforced the close ties and strengthened the foundation for continued co-operation and joint development between Hong Kong Customs and the Office of the EU to Hong Kong. Hong Kong Customs will maintain close contact with the Office of the EU to Hong Kong. Regarding the Customs enforcement and co-operation items discussed during the meeting, Hong Kong Customs invites the Office of the EU to Hong Kong to communicate with relevant Customs administrations and law enforcement agencies of the EU for follow-up discussions.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Jardine's Lookout today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a detached house in Jardine's Lookout this morning (January 20), in which a man fell from a wooden folding ladder while installing an air-conditioner. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by his death and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the air-conditioning works at the detached house concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To protect workers' safety, the LD reminds contractors that ladders are usually used for ascending and descending only. Using ladders for work-above-ground is unsafe. Contractors shall provide and ensure that workers use appropriate working platforms or other safe means of support, including step platforms or hop-up platforms in conformity with international or national standards, instead of ladders.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.