Labour Department Suspends Excavator Training Courses for Safety Violations

2024-12-12 12:00 Last Updated At：12:08

Labour Department withdraws and suspends recognition of Mandatory Safety Training Courses operated by two training course providers

The Labour Department (LD) today (December 12) withdrew and suspended the recognition of courses for operating excavators from two Mandatory Safety Training (MST) course providers for failure to comply with the Approval Conditions (ACs) for Operating MST courses.

The LD withdrew the recognition of Construction Machinery Technical Training Centre for conducting the training courses for Experienced Operators of Excavator (Excavator-EO) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation (Cap. 59 Subsidiary Legislation) today and suspended its recognition for conducting the revalidation training courses for Operators of Excavator (Excavator-R) for a period of three months, until March 11, 2025.

The LD also suspended from today the recognition of Hong Kong Construction Industry Professional Plant-Operators and Mechanics' Association for conducting training courses for Excavator-EO for a period of six months, until June 11, 2025.

Regarding the earlier operation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Mandatory Safety Training (MST) courses for excavator operators, the LD completed its investigation. The LD discovered that the aforementioned two training course providers (TCPs) violated the ACs for Operating MST courses, which includes failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trainees enrolled in the safety training courses had met the specified admission requirements, and failing to prohibit their employees from soliciting, or accepting benefits as defined by the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201). The TCPs did not fulfil their supervision and management responsibilities. After conducting thorough investigations and gathering evidence, and taking into account the explanations and representations provided by the two TCPs, the LD considered that the nature of the incident was serious and made corresponding decisions to withdraw and suspend recognition for their respective courses.

A spokesman for the LD said, "The LD is highly concerned about the quality of MST courses. We will deploy manpower for special inspections from time to time to monitor compliance of ACs by recognised TCPs with a view to maintaining the standard of the training courses, and ensuring workers receive appropriate occupational safety and health (OSH) training as well as understand the importance of work safety. If the TCPs do not comply with the ACs set by the LD, their recognition to operate the relevant courses will be withdrawn. The LD will continue to closely monitor the quality of all TCPs and their trainers, striving to enhance the standard of OSH in Hong Kong."

The spokesman also reminded those who are interested in enrolling in the MST courses that require proof of working experience or employer reference letters to use valid proof to apply for the courses. Using false documents is a serious criminal offence. Any certificate obtained through such means will be deemed invalid.

If the public encounters or suspects individuals who claim to be able to provide false proof of working experience or employer reference letters to help applicants obtain relevant MST course certificates, please report them immediately to the LD via the mobile phone app "OSH 2.0" or the online OSH complaint platform (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ld0001/en).

After imposing the above sanctions, there are two recognised TCPs for the Excavator-EO Course and two recognised TCPs for the Excavator-R Course. The relevant course information is available on the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/lsmemmexv.htm). 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.