What's News

An International Construction Law Conference 2010 is being organized by Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, it will be held at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on 5 - 7 December 2010.

Our FEMC is one of the supporting organisations, our members will be offered with discount on Registration Fee, further discount is given on early bird registration on or before 1 October 2010 !

Construction Charity Fund - Fund Raising - Mahjong Competition on 30 May 2010

Since the Construction Charity Fund has been launched and held with the first of a series of fund raising activities on 26 Feb 2010, the 1st of "慈善麻雀皇大賽" is the next fund raising activity which will be held on 30 May 2010 (Sun).

This Fund was spearheaded by our Legco representative the Hon. Abraham Shek and HKCA, with HKFEMC, HKCIEGU and HKCSA being founding subscribers. Up to now 27 cases have been handled with a total of HK$1.89 Million delivered to victims' families.

A tragic accident happened on 20/4/2010 in which a lift worker was caught between the lift car and the structure of a floor slab. He left behind a family with a widow and 2 young children.

On behalf of your Federation, Chairman Mr Paul Chong delivered a cheque of $100,000 from the 'Construction Charity Fund' to the family on 30/4/2010 - the first case involving our E&M trade though I wish it never happened. Of course this won't relieve the pain of the bereaved woman and children but it really helps a lot to stabilise - removing most of the immediate financial worry typical of families of such nature.

Our Federation earnestly request you and colleagues to support the fund raising. No problem even if you don't enjoy mahjong game, just make a donation in that case.

Attached herewith the invitation letter for your attention and details. Please take action and return the filled Enrollment Form to the organizing committee (建造業分包商聯會) by fax at 2572 6268 on or before 15 May 2010.

The Building (Minor Works) Regulation Cap.123N was passed in 2009 after almost 5 years of consultation with the industry and debate in the LEGCO. Numerous revisions were made during that period in response to input from stakeholders in particular the 'Minor Works Contractors Registration Concern Group' comprising 22 organizations including your Federation being an active member. The implementation date is yet to be determined while training to prepare contractors/individuals for registration is being conducted. Like all new registration exercises, turbulence can be expected in the initial stage.

One common misunderstanding being heard from contractors is - extra restriction on their current practice, which is NOT the case. A workshop is now scheduled on :

17 May 2010 Monday, at 4:30 pm, in the conference room of HKFEMC

to brief members on this Regulation which affects mainly the P&D and HVAC disciplines as far as our E&M trade is concerned. However, all others are welcome.

The Occupational Deafness (Compensation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2010 ("amendment ordinance") 《2010年職業性失聰(補償)(修訂)條例》has been in operation. It brings improvements to the Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme. A circular of Occupational Deafness Compensation Board enclosed with an introduction and leaflet is attached for your information.

"The Construction Charity Fund" was co-founded by Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association, Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union and our HKFEMC in Oct 2009. The Fund aims to provide immediate financial assistance and condolences to families of the unfortunate colleagues who died in fatal industrial accidents.

We are pleased to announce that a Construction Charity Fund Launching Ceremony cum Fund Raising Luncheon will be held on 26 February 2010 (Friday 正月十三) to officially launch the Fund and is also the first of a series of fund raising activities. An invitation letter issued by our President, Mr Otto Poon, with details and the enrollment form are attached for your attention.

The captioned event is annually held at June in Guangzhou. Our FEMC is one of the supporters of the Exhibition. This year 2010, the exhibition will be held on 9 – 12 June 2010 at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou, China. It is the biggest lighting industry forum in Asia.

Our members are invited to participate the event. For easy registration and entitle to FREE admission, you can make online pre-registration by clicking into the link :

http://www.mshk-emo.com/guangzhou-int-lighting/2010/Official_partner.html

Please note :
- To receive your badge by mail before the show, please register on or before 28 February 2010.
- Visitors who register after 28 February 2010, please collect your badge at pre-registration counter.
- Admission fee for pre-registration: Free
- Deadline for online pre-registration: 31 May 2010

As you are aware that the registration for minor works contractors under the new Minor Works Control System commences on 30 December 2009, the Application Forms are available for Contractor companies and individual practitioners to register as minor works contractors of the relevant classes and types by virtue of their work experience, qualification and competence.

For details, please click into the following links of Building Department's website :

http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/inform/index_rmwc.html (for English version)
http://www.bd.gov.hk/chineseT/inform/index_rmwc.html (for Chinese version)


Application Forms for various registrations can also be downloaded from the website.

Kindly note that hard copies of Application for registration as a registered minor works contractor (company) are provided by Building Department, and are being kept in our FEMC office for members' collection. Please feel free to come and get it.

A briefing session will be held for members to have a better understanding on these 2 topics :

- the recent Civil Justice Reform with respect to the construction industry,

- Arbitration Bill vis-à-vis FEMC submission to the Dept of Justice

While some members may see them being a bit remote at least when compared to hot subjects such as contract management and payment issues, they indeed carry a far reaching and long term impact on our industry. Being prepared is vital, even if you may not run across them tomorrow.

Details
Date : 27 November 2009 (Friday)
Time : 7:00 pm – 9:00pm
Venue : Room 201, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building
Fee : FEMC members : FREE for the first 5 attendees per member, thereafter $30 each
Constituent Association members : HK$30 per attendee

Speakers : Mr Steven Yip of Minter Ellison (law firm) and Mr K K Fung of Paul Y (E&M) Contractors Ltd., both being veterans in our industry with in-depth knowledge of the subjects.

Limited seats, first come first served.

Since 2003, with your support, our E&M Safety Walk was held successfully every year. This year, we are pleased to launch again that the captioned event will be held in the morning of 6 December 2009 at Lavender Garden which is next to Hok Tau Reservoir, Fanling. . Programme includes morning drill exercise, hiking and Safety Q&A, BBQ and lucky draw. Registration can be made starting from 1 Nov 2009. Please refer to the attached Notice with registration procedure for details.

We are pleased to inform you that the Federation is organizing a full day conference on the theme of "The Road to a Green Future". It will be held on 15 December 2009 (Tuesday) at Harbour Grand Hong Kong hotel.

Climate change is one imminent challenge facing mankind. The conference will provide a forum for Government representatives to map out their initiatives to achieve low carbon economy and a green environment. In parallel, allied professionals and our members will share their experience, exchange ideas and make best use of green technologies to achieve for a green environment.

In addition to other distinguished speakers, we will be much honoured to have Mr Stephen Chan, Director of EMSD and Dr. Kitty Poon, Under Secretary for the Environment to be our Guests of Honour.

A Flyer with Programme is attached for your reference.

Details of the Conference are as follows :

Date : 15th December 2009 (Tuesday)
Time : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue : Grand Ballroom, Harbour Grand Hong Kong

The Construction Workers Registration Authority (CWRA) has announced that construction workers can now renew their registration through respective trade unions. Please refer to attached Press Release for details.

Employers Subsidy Scheme (資助僱主訓練學徒計劃) has been launched by CICTA (建造業議會訓練學院). It aims to promote long-term employment of the CICTA's graduates and provision of proper training by employers.

To encourage Contractors and Sub-contractors participating this scheme, a monthly subsidy of $1,800 or $2,000 for each graduate would be provided by CICTA.

A "Work Trial Scheme" has been launched by Employment Services Division, Labour Department, which is to enhance the employability of job seekers who have difficulties in finding jobs through one-month (30 days) work trial. Its self-explanatory letter and a leaflet are attached for your reference.

The Construction Workers Registration Authority (CWRA) has published in the website the latest news in respect of the application for exemption from providing card reading device on construction site.

CICTA runs 1 class each year (now considering expansion to 2 classes), producing about 30 trainees. The next batch will be available mid July, this month. Students are usually of F5 standard, not necessarily with working experience. The short course lasts for 70 full days, covering a wide range of construction and drafting related topics. They have the basics but of course don't expect them to be readily skilled. Further on job training is a must for them to be productive. With serious shortage of draftsmen in our industry, these graduates can certainly help to quench.

The syllabus and recruitment application form are attached. Be free to contact CICTA directly.

For enhancing the knowledge of our members about safety and insurance practices in building services sector of the construction industry, our Federation and The Federation of Hong Kong Electrical & Mechanical Industries Trade Unions (EMF) are pleased to co-organize the captioned seminar for members with the following detials :

Date & Time : 18th July 2008 (Friday)
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Venue : Room 103, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building,
15 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Fee : * Member of EMF / FEMC / ACRA / ECA / EMCA /FSICA / LECA / PSWTA : HK$20.- /head
* Non-member : HK$30.-/head

Medium : Cantonese with English Terminology

The Competition Policy Advisory Group (COMPAG) has published its ninth annual report. The Report outlines the group's work during the period July 2006 to June 2007, and also reviews the results of the public consultation exercise on competition policy conducted early the year.

The Report is published electronically and available online at the COMPAG website (www.compag.gov.hk).

香港機電工程商聯會感謝特首發表歷史性發展藍圖

香港機電工程商聯會（機電聯會）對行政長官曾蔭權昨天（10月10日）之施政報告表示極度歡迎。

機電聯會十分同意及支持特首各項施政綱領及新措施，從環境保護至國民教育等，特別是推動十大建設以繁榮經濟。其他措施如啟德郵輪碼頭及更新政府建築物老化的設備等，亦對機電行業的持續發展非常重要。

特首言基礎建設的投資可創造二十五萬個職位及千億的經濟增值。機電聯會認為此乃最佳之藏富於民及社會之法﹔且可加強社會和諧。香港背靠祖國面向世界，七個豐收肥牛年可待。特首之施政綱領及新措施將如魚之得水。

機電聯會會長趙雅各表示特首已領行數步，業界應立刻跟上，加強培訓，吸納員工，增强設備及預先尋求國內外合作伙伴等。

機電聯會感謝特首展開此歷史性發展藍圖，並明確指出發展方向和遠景。

As the Phase one Prohibition under the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (CWRO) will take effect shortly on 1 September 2007, thus, Construction Workers Registration Authority (CWRA) has sent a letter to all contractors for their attention.

We have been informed by Economic Development and Labour Bureau that the Competition Policy Advisory Group (COMPAG) has published its 8th annual report. The report outlines the group's work during the period April 2005 to June 2006, and also summaries the recommendations of the Competition Policy Review Committee on a new competition law for Hong Kong. In accordance with the Government's "e-Government" initiative, the Report is published electronically and is available online at the COMPAG website, www.compag.gov.hk.