Chinese employer acquitted of slapping her Pinay DH

 By Leo A. Deocadiz

Housing development where slapping incident took place (Google Maps photo)

A Chinese housewife was acquitted today of common assault on her domestic helper after a one-day trial at the Eastern Court.

Zhu Qiujing, 38 years old, was found not guilty by Deputy Magistrate Chung Wing-sze, who said she was not convinced by the testimony of Shirley Cahilig, 32, that she had been slapped on the left cheek and held on the chin.

Magistrate Chung, speaking in Cantonese, said she saw inconsistencies in Cahilig’s testimony that proved fatal to her claim of having been assaulted.

She also granted costs to defense, to be taxed if not agreed.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Zhu was charged with common assault on Cahilig on the June 8, 2025, at her flat in Island Garden, Chai Wan Road, Chai Wạn. She was accused of violating Common Law, punishable under section 40 of the Offence's against the Person Ordinance.

Cahilig testified that she arrived at Zhu’s house on March 5, 2025 to work as a domestic helper. The incident with her employer took place three months later.

Before ther slapping incident, she said, she had a harmonious relationship with Zhu, except for one time when Zhu scolded her for boiling chicken for dinner.

She said she told Zhu she did not want to work for her anymore. However, Zhu apologized and they made up.

Basahin ang detalye!

Cahilig said she was slapped by Zhu after accusing her of telling the latter’s two daughters about her smoking. But she said she did not volunteer this fact; the daughters knew she was smoking because she smelled of smoke.

She said she called the police hotline 999 twice and no one was picking up. She called the Mission for Migrant Workers, where a volunteer told her to dial 999 and say “Police Assistance”, which was answered right away. A policeman arrived at their house.

Cahilig toid the policeman she wanted to leave the house as she was afraid, but she was told by the employer she could leave only if she paid her $5,000, or one month’s notice.

After paying $5,000, she packed up her things and had thern inspected by Zhu.

She subsequently formalized her complaint with the police on June 15, and filed her claims with the Labour Department in August for wrongful termination, one month notice, refund of her $5,000, air fare and others.

Filipina driver in Central car crash jailed 27 months

 by The SUN

Magsino being taken to court for an earlier hearing (File)

“A momentary lapse in judgment” more than four years ago today led to a Filipina domestic worker being jailed for 27 months, at the end of her trial at the District Court in Tsuen Wan for dangerous driving causing death and multiple injuries.  

Reshielle L. Magsino, 48, was meted the sentence by Deputy District Judge Timothy Casewell, who called the incident that led the defendant to the dock “tragic and catastrophic” not just for the victims but also for her.

In addition to her prison term, Magsino was also barred from driving in Hong Kong for five years, a sentence that will, however, have no consequence on her as she will likely be deported back to the Philippines after getting out of jail.

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A week ago, Judge Casewell convicted Magsino of the two charges laid against her, one for dangerous driving that caused the death of one individual, and the second, for causing grievous bodily harm to four other people.

The case arose after Magsino failed to engage the brake on a car she had parked on a slope on Peel Street in Central on Dec. 10, 2021, causing it to roll downhill at a fast clip, then hitting a number of people outside a bar at the intersection with Staunton Street.

One of those hit was young French woman Elodie Ma, who died in the hospital 25 days after the crash. The others suffered various injuries including one of the witnesses, who sustained multiple fractures.

Prior to sentencing, Judge Casewell was told by the defense that all the civil claims that arose from the incident had been settled.

This car's dash cam showed the white car that Magsino had parked hitting people on the street

Despite the defendant not pleading guilty to the charges, the judge accepted that she had been remorseful and apart from this singular error in judgment, had an exemplary record, both for her work as a domestic helper since 2009, and her driving.

The judge noted that a number of people who had written to the court in support of Magsino, including her previous employers, had spoken highly of her and expressed deep appreciation for her work.

But the judge said he also had to consider as aggravating factor the fact that because of the defendant’s negligence a number of people had suffered injuries, and one of them had died from those injuries.

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The judge used as starting point in sentencing for the first charge a prison term of 33 months, and suspension of driver’s licence for five years. For the second offence, the starting point was 24 months in jail plus two years of disqualification from driving.

As the two charges arose from the same incident, he ordered that the sentences be served concurrently, and gave a six-month discount for the mitigating circumstances, resulting in a final sentence of 27 months and five-year disqualification from driving.

In court to give support to Magsino were her female employer and three Filipino friends who were told that an appeal against conviction and/or sentence could be lodged.

 

Pinay offers to help prosecute fixers who provide fake work contracts

The sentencing of a Filipina for three Immigration offenses has been put off at Shatin Court after she volunteered to help authorities prosecute fixers who provided her a fake employment contract that enabled her to get a domestic helper’s visa.

Anabelle Waguis, 37 years old, faces charges of breach of condition of stay, making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit, and conspiracy to defraud.

Magistrate Raymond Wong adjourned the case to April 15 on the request of the prosecutor, who said Waguis would cooperate in the prosecution of “Kate” and others who were involved in her getting a fake employment visa.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

In the meantime, she was sent back to prison where her testimony will be taken.

Waguis was a domestic helper whose stay in Hong Kong was limited until Sept. 22, 2022, or two weeks after termination of contract.

However, she remained in Hong Kong between July 6, 2023 and Oct. 12, 2025, in violation of section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, according to the complaint by Immigration Department.

Basahin ang detalye!

She was also charged with violation of section 42(1) (c) of the Immigration Ordinance on Sept. 19, 2022 when she made a false statement that she was going to work for Ng Yuk Man as a domestic helper.

She did this “knowing the same to be false or not believing the same to be true, for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit, namely, an entry visa to Hong Kong to take up employment as a domestic helper,” the complaint stated.

The conspiracy to defraud charge arose after she conspired with a person named Kate in August 2022 to provide fake employent contract to the Director of Immigration and his officers stating that she will work for Ng Yuk Man as a domestic helper, resulting in a domestic helper’s visa being issued to her.

Her actions induced “the said Director and his officers to act contrary to their public duty, namely to grant you the permission to remain in Hong Kong as foreign domestic helper under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted.”

This was contrary to Common Law and section 2(3) and 4(2) of Criminal Jurisdiction Ordinance, and punishable under section 159C(6) of Crimes Ordinance.

'Employers and agencies must pay higher verification fee, not OFWs'

 

Labatt Chavez and Congen Israel say OFWs should not be made to pay the verification fee

The Philippine Consulate General and the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong have sought to allay concerns of overseas Filipino workers over the hike in verification fee which went up by as much as four times in the case of contracts covering new arrivals, starting last Sunday, Mar. 1.

In a press briefing called earlier today, Tuesday, both Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. and Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr. said the new fees announced only four days ago should have been implemented as early last year in line with a Joint Circular by the Departments of Migrant Workers, Budget and Management and The Bureau of Treasury.

Both officials said that despite the seemingly massive increase in the fee, only a few OFWs will be affected as those who are rehired or are returning to the same employer after a vacation (Balik Manggagawa), or move to another while still in Hong Kong, will still be covered by the current fee of HK$80 (or US$10 per the Joint Circular).

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Only the new hires, or those coming to Hong Kong for the first time (or those who had previously worked here but had to go home to process a new work contract) will be subject to the new fee of HK$320, which amounts to four times the current fee of HK$80.

Congen Romulo said all these were relayed to a group of protesters from Migrante Hong Kong who picketed the Consulate building on Sunday to hit out at the new fees, calling them a form of “kotong” (extortion) by the Philippine government.

“We invited them to come up and we had a little dialogue,” said Congen Romulo.

Basahin ang detalye!

During their talk, the two officials assured the protesters that the higher fees will not be passed on to OFWs as it has always been the Philippine government’s mandate that all processing costs should be borne either by the employer or the recruitment agency.

“The employer must pay this fee, not the worker,” said the officials, adding that any OFW who is forced to pay the charge should report immediately to the MWO so appropriate action can be taken. 

Mendez calls for better protection instead of more exactions on OFWs

But according to Bayan HK’s Baneng Mendez, one of the protest organizers, OFWs who are in HK should not feel relieved by the assurance that only the new arrivals will be covered by the jacked-up fee.

“Kahit di tayo affected, mas lalo tayong dapat magalit kasi kapwa natin OFWs ang apektado. Hindi pa nga sila kumikita, ginagatasan na,” said Mendez in her speech during the picket.

(Even if we are not affected, we should be enraged even more because our fellow OFWs will be hit. Before they start earning money, they are already being milked dry).

It's also not true that the cost will not be passed on to the new hires because they know that if they don't pay up, they will not be able to leave the country, she said.

Mendez also rued the lack of prior notice or consultation, when Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac himself came to Hong Kong only recently, and did not mention anything about the fee increase.

She also said that OFWs should not keep quiet about the higher fees because if they do, the government will just continue extracting more money from them, while failing to provide enough assistance and benefits.

Protesters ask why Secretary Cacdac did not mention the fee increase during a recent visit to HK

Both officials explained to the protesters that the higher fee should have been collected as early as last year, after the Hong Kong government gave its consent. Before this, all other Philippine posts abroad (except in Taiwan where a different mechanism is in place) had already started implementing the new fee schedule, according to them.

Labatt Chavez said that when he took office in December last year, he immediately saw the oversight, and asked the head office for a deferment of the collection, as he knew he would be answerable to the government if the circular was not implemented. Failing to receive a response to this request, he decided to go ahead and announced the new fee.

Contrary to claims that no consultation was made with concerned parties, he said this would have been done a long time ago in the Philippines, though it would have involved the recruitment agencies primarily, as they would be the ones most affected by the increase.

Thus, the agencies, both in the Philippines and in Hong Kong, should have known about the increase long before it was announced here, he said.

Despite the uniform fee of HK$320 now being charged by MWO for verifying new employment contracts, he said this is still lower than the HK$390 that Indonesia charges for the same service.

But both officials said it was unfortunate that the fee hike had to be implemented at a time when Filipinos were still smarting from the massive corruption uncovered in flood control projects in the country,  making OFWs feel that the money lost from the anomaly is being unfairly passed on to them.

 

 

Pinay jailed 3 years for “laundering” $2.27M

 

A Filipina was jailed for three years after a trial at Fan Ling Court or two counts of money laundering, in which a total of $2.27 million flowed in and out of her two bank accounts in 2023 and 2024.

Jenebeth Abogador, 41 years old, received identical two-year sentences for each of the charges, but Magistrate Kenneth Chan ordered that one year of the second sentence be made to run at the same time as the first.

In addition, Magistrate Chan ordered Abogador to pay $1,630 as costs to the prosecution, to be taken from her bail.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Abogador was charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

In the first case, a total sum of $1,164,448.40 “in whole or in part directly or indirectly represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence,” was deposited in her MOX Bank Limited account between Oct. 23, 2023 and Nov 26, 2023.

She handled the amount with a female known as "Reme" (also known as "Remi Marcos" or "Remie Marcos) and another male known as "Jay", the police complaint said.

Basahin ang detalye!

In the second case, a total sum of $1,111,968.16 was deposited and withdrawn from her account with Hang Seng Bank Limited between Oct. 23, 2023 and dec. 21, 2024.

She was also assisted by "Remie Marcos" and "Jay" in the transactions.

Filipina driver of runaway car in Central guilty of dangerous driving

 

The car that Magsino failed to park properly mowed down a crowd before mounting a pavement

Filipina domestic worker Reshielle L. Magsino haa been taken into custody ahead of her sentencing on March 6 for dangerous driving causing death and serious injury.

Magsino, 48, was convicted of both charges by Tsuen Wan Deputy Magistrate Timothy Casewell on Feb 27, more than four years after the car that the Filipina had parked on a slope on Peel Street in Central rolled downhill, hitting several pedestrians.

One of those hit, French woman Elodie Ma, died in a hospital afterwards while seven others suffered injuries, some of them serious.

DETAILS HERE

The incident happened on Dec. 10, 2021 after Magsino had gotten off the car along with her employer. The vehicle rolled down at a fast clip and hit the victims while they were standing outside a bar at the corner of Peel Street and Staunton Street.

Magsino had pleaded not guilty to the charges. But in convicting her, the magistrate said she should have ensured the vehicle was safely parked before getting off.

Experts called to testify at the long-delayed trial ruled out mechanical failure, saying the car’s braking and parking systems were working normally.

Basahin ang detalye!

Magsino, who had been on bail, was remanded in custody after the verdict.

The case recalled a similar one that happened in 2018, when a runaway school bus rolled down Cheung Hong Street in North Point and mounted a sidewalk after crossing busy King’s Road, killing five pedestrians along the way and injuring two others.

Investigations revealed the 67-year-old driver Ng Yiu-chung had failed to properly engage the handbrake.

Following the incident Ng was charged with leaving a vehicle without a fixed parking brake, to which he pleaded guilty and received a HK$2,000 fine. However, four years later, the prosecution added two charges against him for causing death by dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving.

In February last year, District Judge Adrianna Tse permanently halted proceedings for the second charge, and criticised the prosecution for splitting the case, saying that they had tried to mislead the court.

Rising after the fire: Jonalyn's story of empowerment

 (Reprinted from "Migrant Focus" of the Mission for Migrant Workers)

Jonalyn shares her story of survival with fellow migrant workers

Jonalyn is one of the survivors of the tragic fire that occurred on November 26 in Tai Po. She has worked in Hong Kong for more than 15 years, serving four different households. Since 2015, she has cared for an elderly person at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The elderly woman is a 94-year-old with Parkinson’s disease. For more than ten years, Jonalyn and Por por woke up early each day to walk together and exercise in the park. In the early years of Por por’s illness, her symptoms were severe—her hand trembled and she struggled to control her muscles. Over time Por por’s movement improved as she gradually gained better control. Por por is very emotional; sad news can bring tears easily, and she often cannot sleep when she anticipates her daughter’s visit the next day. Jonalyn’s careful, loving care grew from these moments, forming the foundation of their strong bond.

Their life was quiet and intimate—Jonalyn cooking Por por’s meals, keeping the house tidy, Por por watching her favorite programs. They found a rhythm that felt like family. Jonalyn often spoke of their relationship as “mother and daughter,” forged through trust, love, and mutual care. Their days were not without challenges, yet the small acts of care created a safe harbor for both of them.

PINDUTIN DITO

Then the fire struck. On that day, Jonalyn felt a subtle instinct urging her to stay home. She knew Por por needed her more than ever. When the flames erupted, she woke with fear and used every ounce of courage to shepherd Por por toward safety. They moved through the smoke to the elevator, praying aloud for strength, praying the ride down would be swift. From the 23rd floor, they escaped to the ground floor and looked back at their home, already engulfed. In that moment, Jonalyn was thankful that both of them survived. With a thread of gratitude that bound them, Jonalyn understood survival is not only about escaping danger, but about choosing to keep loving, even when everything else is uncertain. 

Yet survival did not resolve what followed. Soon after, Por por’s daughter terminated Jonalyn’s contract, a decision that felt like a second wound—swift, unexplained, and devastating. She started to doubt, “had her care ever truly mattered? Was her long service simply erased by one sudden moment?" The blow was sharp, and the ache of separation from Por por was deeper still.

Jonalyn is helped on the path to recovery by MFMW and Bethune House

In that darkness, Jonalyn found a lifeline: the Mission For Migrant Workers. She learned of Bethune House, a temporary shelter for women migrants, and there she began to heal in earnest. The shelter became a classroom of collective resilience, as she met and accomplished daily tasks with other migrants in distress there. Journalists visited; she spoke at schools, sharing her story not for pity, but to illuminate a path for others, with others. Each interview, each conversation, helped rebuild a sense of purpose.

Counseling offered through MFMW helped her unpack fear, guilt, and anger. She began to understand her own worth, recognizing that ten years of dedicated care deserved recognition, not erasure. In time, she reconnected with a community of fellow migrants who shared strategies for healing, hope, and advocacy. For the first time in years, Jonalyn allowed herself small joys—time with friends, new hobbies, and the simple luxury of a day off to rest and reflect.

Basahin ang detalye!

Jonalyn’s healing also led to action. When the Tai Po survivors organized, she urged them to step onto the stage with courage, leading to participate in a fashion show as part of One Billion Rising, a powerful voice against violence toward women and girls. She designed a costume, chose music, and learned the dance steps. The experience wasn’t merely a performance; it was an embodiment of connection, a proof that her voice, along with others, could shape change and inspire others.

Her talks with teens at St. Paul’s Church and HKBU, her willingness to share with new audiences, affirmed a truth she had learned in the fire: healing accelerates when we give back. Through conversation and outreach, Jonalyn found a renewed sense of belonging in Hong Kong—a city that could be both a home and a horizon.

Today, she speaks of gratitude, not resignation. “I learned I don’t need to hate to keep moving,” she says. “I can be thankful for the years I cared for Por por, and I can be courageous enough to claim my future.” She remains open to work, to community, and to the possibility that the next chapter will honor her strength, her care, and the courage it takes to heal and empower others.

To fellow migrants who face hardships: don’t give up. Seek guidance, honor your needs, and follow your heart to what’s right. HK remains a place of possibility—where kindness endures, and where a survivor’s voice can light the way for others.

(To know more about the MFMW’s works and how to donate to help them continue helping migrant workers, please click on this link: https://www.migrants.net/to-donate)

 

Mideast conflict kills Filipino caregiver in Israel; ruins travel plans of many OFWs

 

Some of the 80 OFWs assisted by MWO Hong Kong

(UPDATED)

At least one Filipino has been reported killed in the renewed conflict the Middle East.

Mary Ann V. de Vera, a 32-year-old caregiver from Basista, Pangasinan, was killed in a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on the evening of Feb 28. Her identity was confirmed through biometric records by her husband who also works in Israel.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced the death in a video recording published on Sunday night, and extended his condolences.

The latest outbreak of violence was sparked by the US-Israel bombing in Iran which killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,a and stranded travellers to and from the affected areas, many of them overseas Filipino workers.

Hong Kong, a stopover for many OFWs bound for the Middle East, has 80 stranded OFWs because their flights to the Middle East had been cancelled, according to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Hong Kong.

An MWO Team is at the airport to give guidance, food and basic needs and referrals if needed. The team will remin at the airport to help the OFWs. It urged thise who know of anyone stranded in Hong Kong International Airport to call its hotline: (+852) 5529-1880.

PINDUTIN DITO

Filipinos needing urgent assistance can also call its round-the-clock hotline at +972 54 466 1188.

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah advises Filipino travelers with upcoming flights entering or leaving the Kingdom to contact their respective airlines in anticipation of possible flight disruptions.

President Fardinand R. Marcos Jr. said: “Sa ngayon, wala tayong natatanggap na ulat na may Pilipinong nasawi o nasaktan. Patuloy ang ating pagbabantay para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan. (Right now we have not received reports of Filipinos killed or injured. We are continuing to monitor, to ensure the welfare of our people.”

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He earlier directed the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers and Philippine embassies across the Middle East to activate contingency measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

According to DMW, 1.113 million Filipinos live and work in the Middle East as of December 2025. United Arab Emirates accounted for 397,892; Saudi Arabia, 386,699; Qatar, 160,890; Kuwait, 106,364; Bahrain, 21,129 and Isarel, 7,473 OFWs.

The Philippine embassies in the Middle East have urged their constituents to "remain calm and follow official advisories," while staying indoors or seeking shelter away from military sites.

Filipino nationals are advised to remain vigilant and exercise prudence at this time.

* Ensure that important documents, such as passports and iqamas, are readily accessible.

* Stay updated through reliable news sources and official advisories.

* Remain at home and limit movement unless absolutely necessary.

* Maintain at least three (3) days’ supply of food, water, medicines, and other essential items. Keep your communication devices charged.

* Avoid mass gatherings and crowded areas.

As this developed, the Defense Department said it is ready to mobilize its facilities to bring the Filipinos home if it becomes necessary.

MWO raises verification fee for new employment contracts to HK$320

 

The new fee schedule

From Sunday, March 1, the verification fee for all new employment contracts processed through the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong will shoot up to HK$320.

For new individual contracts, whether for single or multiple hirings, this will result to a four-fold increase from the current HK$80.

For all other contracts, processed either through job orders, recruitment agreement or master employment contract, the current fee of HK$240 will also be adjusted by a third, to HK$320.

See details

The same fee will apply to all contracts covering sea-based workers, which are currently being processed. From HK$240 the processing fee will be adjusted to HK$320.

The MWO said in its advisory that the new fee should be paid, as before, either by the employer or the recruitment or manning agency that deployed the overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

It also said all old contracts, meaning those being renewed with the same employer, or are transferred to a new employer, will not be affected; which means they will still be processed at the current fee of HK$80.

Basahin ang detalye!

The announcement of the new fee which was apparently made without prior consultation with stakeholders, was met with disappointment by some employment agency operators.

HKUEA president Thomas Chan says the new fee is too steep

Thomas Chan, president of the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies, said the new verification fee is too steep compared with the current fee, especially for employers processing individual contracts.

“Any increase in cost will not be welcomed by anyone,” said Chan, who pointed out that the increase is  way above the cost of inflation.

Also, he said that “though in theory the worker can reimburse the cost from their employer, in reality some workers would be the ones who would shoulder such cost.”

The MWO advisory gave no reason for the hefty increase, but said the new verification fees are in line with Joint Circular 2024-1.

The new fees will apply for all relevant contracts submitted on or after the cut-off date of March 1, 2026.

 

Flu resurgence prompts call for people to vaccinate

A rebound last week of influenza activity has prompted the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to again urge the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccinations.

"The CHP's latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (February 15 to 21) was 2.29 per cent, up from 1.96 per cent recorded in the previous week,” CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui said.

“During the same period, the influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.13 cases per 10,000 population, which is higher than the 0.10 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous week,” he added.

DETAILS HERE

The proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has gradually increased from around 6 per cent in late January to over 21 per cent last week. Meanwhile, the proportion of influenza A (H3) virus strains has decreased from 91 to 71 per cent.

“Outside Hong Kong, seasonal influenza activity remains high in Japan and Korea, with the predominant circulating viruses having shifted from influenza A (H3) to influenza B. Japan is experiencing another winter peak driven by influenza B. Influenza B proportions have also increased in many parts of the world recently, including the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and North America," Dr, Tsui, said.

See details

He said that based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. ‘Given the persistently cold weather, combined with factors such as individuals returning from outbound travel after the long holidays and the shift in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that influenza activity will continue to increase and Hong Kong may enter the winter influenza season.” he said.

The CHP will continue to monitor the situation.

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Scientific research indicates that this season's seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against influenza A and influenza B viruses.

“As it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the virus, I appeal again to all individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, to receive the SIV if they have not yet done so,” Dr. Tsui said.

HK Labor Sec says FDH retraining is on, but will focus on elderly care

 

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun has sought to allay concerns that a plan to expand the services of the Employees Retraining Board to include elderly care training by foreign domestic workers will not divert funds meant for the local workforce.

Some lawmakers have expressed concern that local workers could be put at a disadvantage if funds from the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) would be used for retraining FDHs.

Secretary Sun said in interviews on Tuesday that the ERB’s focus will “undoubtedly remain on the local workforce.”

DETAILS HERE

But he said the planned expansion of ERB’s services is necessary, amid Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population and the growing demand from locals for FDHs to receive elderly-care training.

With tens of thousands of FDHs already providing elderly care, the current program run by the Social Welfare Department that provides them training is no longer adequate, said Sun.

See details

His assurance comes in the wake of the Labour and Welfare Bureau’s announcement that it plans to amend the law to allow the ERB to expand its services.

In a recent interview, ERB Executive Director Byron Ng said that following the Board’s relocation to new headquarters in Kowloon Bay, it will enhance support in career planning, skills training and employment assistance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The board also plans to turn certain courses into shorter, more flexible “micro courses” to conform to trainees’ needs.

Ng said the board’s financial position remains stable, and that it will continue to be prudent in handling its resources.

 

With HK harborfront completed, gov’t turns attention to Kowloon

 

View of Kowloon from the West Cultural District (Google Maps photo)

With the completion of the harborfront promenade in Hong Kong Island, the government is studying the development of Kowloon’s promenade to create a combined 34 kilometers of walkway on both sides of Victoria Harbor by 2028, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said today.

Answering a question in Legislative Council by Legislator Yang Wing-kit, Ms. Linn said the Development Bureau has been working closely with the Harborfront Commission to promote various initiatives to enhance the Victoria Harborfront.

The aim, she said, is to create “a diversified, vibrant, accessible and inclusive harborfront space for the public.”

DETAILS HERE

“With the approximately 18 kilometers of harborfront promenades already opened on Hong Kong Island as well as in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing in the New Territories, the total length of promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbor will be extended to approximately 34 kilometers by 2028,” she said.

The promenades in Kowloon will extend to about 15 kilometers upon completion of the following projects this year: the pedestrian walkway connecting the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) to Tai Kok Tsui, the waterfront promenade next to the Kai Tak New Acute Hospital and the event space and public open space at the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier site.

See details

The length will be further increased to 16 kilometers by 2028. This expansion will come from new projects that are under study, such as the gas offtake station off Grand Waterfront, the vicinity of the Fishtail Rock in Hoi Sham Park, and the private section of the Green Island Cement Pier.

The Kowloon harbourfront is home to a number of landmarks attracting many visitors, including the Kai Tak Sports Park, the museum cluster in Tsim Sha Tsui, the West Kowloon Cultural District and others.

Basahin ang detalye!

The waterfront sites to be opened this year include the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier site  which offers visitors with panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and the skyline of Hong Kong Island.

“… we plan to develop the sites around Hung Hom Station and waterfront areas into a new waterfront landmark combining tourism, entertainment and leisure elements, as well as to construct yacht berthing facilities and provide water-based leisure facilities etc., enhancing the appeal of Victoria Harbour for visitors,” Ms. Linn said.