Two company directors fined $132,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance
Two directors of Ocean Empire International Limited were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The two directors pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (April 27) and were fined a total sum of $132,000.
The Eastern Magistrates' Courts, the Eastern Law Courts Building
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay 10 employees' wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of employment contract, totalling about $563,000. The two directors concerned were prosecuted and convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
"The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have personal liability to ensure payment of wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.
"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 30) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in April, covering 39 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
April 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
6.7% |
1.0 |
Islands |
Cheung Chau |
5.6% |
1.7 |
North |
Fanling South |
2.5% |
1.0 |
Sha Tin |
Ma On Shan |
6.3% |
1.3 |
Tai Wai |
1.7% |
1.0 |
Kwai Tsing |
Kwai Chung East |
10.5% |
1.5 |
Kwai Chung West |
2.3% |
1.0 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
1.8% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun North |
9.7% |
1.3 |
District |
Survey Area |
April 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
6.7% |
1.0 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
7.3% |
1.0 |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
12.6% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
6.5% |
1.0 |
Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay |
5.9% |
1.1 |
Wan Chai |
Happy Valley and Tai Hang |
3.5% |
1.3 |
Tin Hau and Causeway Bay |
7.6% |
1.1 |
Wan Chai |
4.5% |
1.0 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
1.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Ho Man Tin |
5.3% |
1.2 |
Kai Tak |
10.6% |
1.4 |
Kowloon Tong |
8.5% |
1.5 |
Kwun Tong |
Kwun Tong Central |
2.4% |
1.0 |
Mong Kok |
Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui |
1.7% |
1.0 |
Sham Shui Po |
Cheung Sha Wan |
8.5% |
1.1 |
Lai Chi Kok |
4.4% |
1.4 |
Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei |
5.7% |
1.1 |
Yau Tsim |
Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei |
7.1% |
1.0 |
North |
Fanling North |
2.4% |
1.0 |
Sheung Shui |
20.3% |
1.1 |
Sai Kung |
Tseung Kwan O East |
8.9% |
1.1 |
Tseung Kwan O North |
13.6% |
1.5 |
Tseung Kwan O West |
6.4% |
1.6 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
9.3% |
1.2 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
34.7% |
1.9 |
Tai Po West |
7.0% |
1.0 |
Tsuen Wan |
Sheung Kwai Chung |
4.7% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
11.8% |
1.1 |
Yuen Long |
Tin Shui Wai |
6.1% |
1.0 |
Yuen Long Town |
5.2% |
1.3 |
Among the fifth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 30 survey areas in April, all were below 10 per cent, except for the First Phase Gravidtrap Index of Kwai Chung East in Kwai Tsing District, and the Area Gravidtrap Indexes of Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District, Kai Tak in Kowloon City District, Sheung Shui in Northern District, Tseung Kwan O North in Sai Kung District, Tai Po East in Tai Po District and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District.
With reference to the data in the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual beginning time and extent of rise are affected by factors like weather and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding and thus leading to the earlier rise of gravidtrap indexes this year, but the overall trend and extent of rise are similar to those of previous years. In response to the rise of gravidtrap indexes, the FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, have implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions.
For Kwai Chung East in Kwai Tsing District, Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District, Kai Tak in Kowloon City District, Sheung Shui in Northern District, Tseung Kwan O North in Sai Kung District, Tai Po East in Tai Po District, and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Kwai Chung East showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and public housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho, Kai Tak, and Tseung Kwan O North showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools, and public and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Sheung Shui showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools, public housing estates and village houses; the gravidtrap data for Tai Po East showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools, public and private housing estates, and hospitals; and the gravidtrap data for Tuen Mun South showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, and public and private housing estates.
In response to the high-risk areas identified in the said survey areas, the FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against a relevant construction site contractor and a venue management contractor following the discovery of mosquito breeding at a construction site and a park in Tai Po District. Furthermore, following the discovery of stagnant water and stagnant water containers in a construction site in Eastern District and two private housing estates in Tai Po District, a total of three statutory notices have been issued to the relevant construction site contrctor and property management companies, requiring the clearance of such items within specified timeframe. The FEHD and the relevant departments are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
The FEHD has so far released five batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April 2026, covering 61 survey areas. Among these 61 survey areas, one recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. March 2026), representing that the area’s mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fifty other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
