Hongkong Post to Release Commemorative Stamps Celebrating Team Hong Kong's Paris 2024 Achievements on December 30.

2024-12-12 12:15 Last Updated At：12:28

Hongkong Post to issue "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024" and "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games" special stamps

Hongkong Post announced today (December 12) that stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024" and “Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games” will be released for sale on December 30 (Monday).

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Hongkong Post to issue "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024" and "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games" special stamps Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Hongkong Post to issue "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024" and "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games" special stamps Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

With sheer determination, Team Hong Kong, China won two gold and two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Paris 2024). It was the first time that Hong Kong clinched two gold medals at the same Olympic Games, and claimed medals in two consecutive Olympic Games. To celebrate the outstanding Paris 2024 achievements of Team Hong Kong, China, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products entitled "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024", featuring the remarkable performances of the 35 athletes from Team Hong Kong, China during the Olympic Games. The stamp sheetlet contains a set of three stamps that captures the moments of athletes sparing no effort in competing for medals in fencing and swimming events respectively, demonstrating their passion for sports and the Hong Kong spirit that touch people's hearts.

In addition, Team Hong Kong, China captured three gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, achieving the best results since the 2008 Paralympic Games. To celebrate the remarkable accomplishment of Team Hong Kong, China at the Paralympic Games this year, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products entitled "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games". The stamp sheetlet contains a set of three stamps, showcasing the three medal-winning events, namely swimming, boccia and badminton. With unparalleled resilience and determination, every athlete overcame numerous obstacles and persevered through rigorous training to ultimately reach the Paralympic Games, which inspire and fill the people of Hong Kong with pride.

Official first day covers for "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024" and "Congratulations on the Outstanding Achievements of Team Hong Kong, China at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games" will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (December 13). The stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from December 30, while serviced first day covers affixed with the stamp sheetlets will be available at philatelic offices only.

A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on December 30 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.

Information about the stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).

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.

Hongkong Post to Release Commemorative Stamps Celebrating Team Hong Kong's Paris 2024 Achievements on December 30.

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