Public urged to guard against fake messages on Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas
A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) today (December 19) reminded members of the public to guard against and avoid being misled by recent fake messages on social media claiming that Hong Kong residents may apply for valid permanent Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for their vehicles by their Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (commonly known as Home Return Permits). The incident will be referred to the Police for follow-up.
The spokesman clarified that applicants for the Regular Quotas have to meet the application requirements stipulated by the Mainland authority and provide the Mainland authority with the specified documents (such as business registration documents of both Guangdong and Hong Kong) to apply for the Regular Quotas. Upon receipt of the Mainland Approval Notice from the Mainland authority, they may apply to the TD for Closed Road Permits for the designated land-based boundary control points.
The spokesman stressed that the arrangements of the Regular Quotas must be jointly deliberated by the governments of the two places holistically. Citizens should refer to official announcements and verify messages to avoid deception or disruption to their travel plans.
Source: AI-found images
Court makes review decision on sentencing for violating occupational safety and health legislation
Regarding the sentencing in a fatal industrial accident, the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 19) handed down a review decision, accepting the prosecution's application for review of an earlier court sentence and increasing the fines imposed on the employer.
The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on March 14, 2024, at a warehouse in Sandy Ridge, New Territories. While a worker was operating a fork-lift truck for unloading of wooden battens from the trailer of a truck, a bundle of wooden battens fell from the trailer and struck another worker. The concerned worker sustained an injury and passed away on the same day.
Kinform Timber Company Limited, being the employer of the fork-lift truck operator, was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, and was fined $120,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on January 21, 2025.
After the sentencing, the prosecution filed a review application with the court regarding the sentence imposed on the relevant employer. The review hearing was brought up today before the Fanling Magistrates' Courts. The fine imposed on Kinform Timber Company Limited was increased to $160,000.
A spokesman for the LD said that the ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to protect workers' safety and health at work in accordance with the laws. The prosecution will continue to pay attention to court rulings and will file review or appeal applications for cases where the sentences are manifestly inadequate and/or wrong in principle.
