Labour Commissioner Engages with Unions and Employers to Address Workforce Concerns and Enhance Communication.

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations

The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Sam Hui, has paid visits to labour organisations and employer associations since assuming office in July, including visiting the Federation of Hong Kong Industries today (August 15) to understand more about the concerns of employees and employers on various labour matters and to strengthen communication and engagement with both sides.

Mr Hui called on two major labour organisations, namely the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Hong Kong& Kowloon Labour Unions. The labour organisations shared their views on various issues such as enhancing employment support, promoting occupational safety and health, and labour importation policy, and expressed concerns over the protection of the rights and benefits of digital platform workers.

Mr Hui visited major employer associations, namely the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He exchanged views with the business sector on various subjects such as manpower planning, talent recruitment and importation of workers.

Mr Hui said, "The Labour Department will continue to closely monitor changes in the local labour market and manpower situation in various industries, including the implementation of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, with a view to safeguarding employment priority for local workers while allowing employers with genuine needs to appropriately import workers. The Labour Department will also continue to maintain candid communication with employees and employers, foster harmonious labour relations and safeguard occupational safety and health."

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.5 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 26) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million, as well as five sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette.

A 19-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Doha, Qatar via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday (December 26). During customs clearance, the batch of suspected cocaine, weighing about 4.7kg, and five sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette were found inside his baggage. The male was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and one count of failing to declare them to Customs officers. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on December 29.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.5 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.5 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases