Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong
The Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Ms Chiang Yi-lee, today (September 11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City University of Hong Kong (CityU) at the Customs Headquarters Building to advance the operational effectiveness of Customs detector dogs through the Smart Collar Research Project.
At the signing ceremony, Ms Chiang acknowledged that the enduring partnership between Customs and CityU encompasses various collaborative initiatives in both academic programmes and specialised training for the Customs Canine Force (CCF). This MOU signing not only marks a significant milestone in the partnership but also launches the Smart Collar Research Project, which aims to study, analyse, as well as optimise the utilisation of data collected from detector dogs including heart rates, respiratory rates and temperatures for enhanced enforcement capabilities and the welfare standards of detector dogs.
CityU, as Hong Kong's pioneer and sole provider of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme, has been offering invaluable support to Customs through comprehensive breeding training programmes, veterinary nursing expertise, and puppy development courses.
Looking ahead, Customs is dedicated to pursuing innovative collaborations with CityU to enhance the effectiveness of its canine operations. By leveraging academic expertise, Customs aims to implement advanced training techniques and technology, ultimately strengthening the impact of the CCF in safeguarding national security and Hong Kong's boundary.
The CCF has been making significant contributions to Hong Kong since its establishment in 1975. It currently maintains 70 detector dog teams, specialising in narcotics, explosives, currency, firearms, and tobacco detection, supported by more than 100 dedicated officers. To ensure a sustainable supply of high-calibre working dogs, Customs initiated its breeding programme in 2020. The programme has successfully produced 36 puppies to date.
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Employers and employees should make reasonable work arrangements after tropical cyclones or rainstorms
The Labour Department (LD) today (June 6) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for employees after the cancellation of tropical cyclone warnings or rainstorm warnings, with due consideration to the road and traffic conditions and other factors, and make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work remotely (if applicable). This will help maintain good labour-management relations, and ensure the safety of employees as well as the smooth operation of organisations.
"For staff who have genuine difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning, employers should be sympathetic and handle each case flexibly. For example, employers may allow employees to resume work in stages, permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work remotely (if applicable) or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work," an LD spokesman said.
The spokesman reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Employees' Compensation Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance.
"As natural calamities cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume duty on time due to adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers should neither deduct their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances, nor reduce employees' entitlement to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance, or ask for additional hours of work from employees to compensate for the loss of working hours when they are unable to report for duty," the spokesman said.
Employers should note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. Moreover, under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for injuries or deaths incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or extreme conditions are in force.
The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'", which provides the major principles, reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation on making work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).
Source: AI-found images
