Month: December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

In view of the relocation of more residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po to the emergency accommodation for residents by the Government in the youth hostels/camps or hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, as well as the transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or units of the Hong Kong Housing Society, the Tai Po District Office today (December 1) announced that the operation of temporary shelter had been further adjusted.

The Tai Po District Office will continue to operate a temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre and open for residents in need.

While for the other temporary shelter at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall, it will no longer accept new users, but will remain in operation until the existing users at this shelter have relocated to the arranged emergency accommodation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government today (December 1) begins to provide tokens of solidarity of $200,000 and funeral grants of $50,000 to the families of the deceased from the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The first batch involves 18 cases of the deceased. At the same time, the Government is gradually providing a living allowance of $50,000 to each of the 20 cases in the first batch.

     A Government spokesman said that in addition to the aforementioned tokens of solidarity, funeral grants, living allowances, and the previously disbursed emergency cash subsidy of $10,000, the Government will provide the following special subsidies:

 (1) Injury grant
An injury grant will be provided to all injured persons from the fire, since the injured may lose part of their income during hospitalisation and have immediate living needs after discharge. Calculated from the date of admission, $100,000 will be granted to those who stay in hospital for seven days or more, and $50,000 will be granted to those who stay in hospital for six days or less. It will be disbursed through the Social Welfare Department’s “one social worker per household” mechanism.

(2) Student grant
A special subsidy of $20,000 will be granted to students living at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po for them to repurchase textbooks, stationery, computers, and other learning tools, or for transportation expenses between temporary accommodations and schools. The subsidy covers those studying in day schools, including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools and kindergartens, as well as those studying full-time in locally accredited courses at post-secondary institutions. The subsidy will be distributed to the students through the day schools.

(3) Subsidy for workers
A special subsidy of $20,000 will be offered to construction workers, cleaning workers, and security guards working at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to cover their loss of income due to employment stoppage or their need to repurchase business equipment. It will be followed up by the Labour Department.

 (4) Subsidy for foreign domestic helpers
A special subsidy of $20,000 will be provided to foreign domestic helpers employed at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. They may not have support from family or relatives in Hong Kong, and their personal belongings may already be completely destroyed by the blaze, or their employers may have tragically passed away. It will be followed up by the Labour Department.

     For the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po established by the Government, the donations received have reached $1.3 billion. In addition to the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund’s total has reached around $1.6 billion. The fund will be used to assist the residents in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term and sustained support.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today began to provide tokens of solidarity of $200,000 and funeral grants of $50,000 to the families of the deceased from the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, with the first batch involving 18 cases, and is concurrently providing a $50,000 living allowance to each of the 20 cases in the first batch.

In addition to the tokens of solidarity, funeral grants, living allowances, and the previously disbursed emergency cash subsidy of $10,000, the Government will provide four categories of special subsidies as follows.

An injury grant will be provided to all the injured from the fire, since they may lose part of their income during hospitalisation and have immediate living needs after discharge.

Calculated from the date of admission, $100,000 will be granted to those who stay in hospital for seven days or more, and $50,000 to those who stay in hospital for six days or less. It will be disbursed via the Social Welfare Department’s “one social worker per household” mechanism.

Secondly, a special subsidy of $20,000 will be granted to students living at Wang Fuk Court to repurchase textbooks, stationery, computers and other learning tools or for transportation expenses between temporary accommodations and schools.

The subsidy covers those studying in day schools, including secondary and primary schools, special schools and kindergartens, as well as those studying full-time in locally accredited courses at post-secondary institutions. It will be distributed through the day schools.

Thirdly, a $20,000 subsidy will be offered to construction workers, cleaning workers, and security guards working at Wang Fuk Court to cover their loss of income due to employment stoppage or their need to repurchase business equipment. The subsidy will be followed up by the Labour Department.

Finally, a $20,000 subsidy will be provided to foreign domestic helpers employed at Wang Fuk Court, to be followed up by the Labour Department. They may not have support from family or relatives in Hong Kong, and their personal belongings may have been completely destroyed by the blaze or their employers tragically passed away.

For the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po established by the Government, the donations received have reached $1.3 billion.

In addition to the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund’s total has reached around $1.6 billion. It will be used to assist the residents in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term and sustained support.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In view of the relocation of more residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po to the emergency accommodation for residents by the Government, the Tai Po District Office today announced the operation of a temporary shelter has been further adjusted.

The office will continue to operate a temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre and open for residents in need.

The other temporary shelter at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall will no longer accept new users, but will remain in operation until the existing users at this shelter have relocated to the arranged emergency accommodation.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 commenced today, attracting representatives from international organisations and the legal industry, renowned experts, government officials and academics from around the world to participate in person and online.

Themed “Linking Laws, Bridging Worlds”, the event provides an opportunity for participants to engage in in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics such as the integration of lawtech and Artificial Intelligence, the development of international law and alternative dispute resolution, as well as collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Before the start of the Legal Week activities, all participants observed a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the Tai Po fire.

The 6th UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit – Judicial Conference was held as the opening event of this year’s Hong Kong Legal Week, with around 50 judges from over 25 jurisdictions attending in person, and judges from other jurisdictions participating online.

In his welcome remarks, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has a strong legal foundation and international connectivity and is dedicated to serving as a “super connector” and a capacity building hub to facilitate the legal and economic collaboration across the region and beyond.

This year’s summit coincides with the first anniversary of the launch of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.

The Department of Justice has specially released the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy Anniversary Booklet 2024-2025, reviewing the achievements and milestones of the academy in promoting international legal exchange and capacity building over the past year. 

Click here for details of the event.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau announced today that medical fee waivers and various support measures will be provided to residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

All individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority will receive full fee waivers for all necessary healthcare services, including drugs and medical devices, throughout the entire process of their treatment and rehabilitation.

Additionally, all residents – foreign domestic helpers included – of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, including Wang Chi House which was not directly affected by the fire incident, will be eligible for full medical fee waivers until December 31, 2026. 

The waivers cover in-patient services, family medicine and specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) services including psychiatry SOPCs, accident and emergency services, day hospitals, day procedures, community services and Chinese Medicine Clinics and Training & Research Centres under the authority.

Residents should provide basic personal information, including name, identity card number and residential address, to identify themselves as Wang Fuk Court residents during consultations to facilitate the processing of relevant arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health will put in place similar fee waiver arrangements to give comprehensive support for the medical needs of residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department said today that according to a preliminary investigation, five construction workers, including three men and two women, of a contractor, passed away in the recent No. 5 alarm fire in Tai Po.

The department is deeply saddened by the passing of the workers and extends its condolences to their families. It also wishes the injured workers a speedy recovery.

At the same time, the department is highly concerned about the fire incident and is conducting a joint investigation with other departments.

It stressed that all contractors in Hong Kong must pay attention to fire risks on construction sites. Specifically, they must particularly enhance the fire safety of scaffolding, ensuring that relevant materials comply with fire safety standards, and that safety measures such as clearing up debris from scaffolding and strictly prohibiting any person from smoking on the sites are strengthened.

If an employee unfortunately sustains an injury or dies at work, the employer will be liable to pay compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance.

The department has been proactively reaching out to the employers concerned, injured employees and family members of the deceased employees to provide assistance, and is closely following up on the cases. It will also assist the family members in applying for emergency relief funds and refer them to the Social Welfare Department for support services.

For enquiries on employees’ compensation, call 2150 6364 (for injury cases) or 2852 3994 (for fatality cases).

Source: Government of Western Samoa

By Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

{TAFUNA, AM. SAMOA. 28th November 2025]- Star Kist’s Samoa canneries initiative to build two new housing facilities to provide accommodations’ for Samoa’s guests workers working at the cannery is applauded and highly commended by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.

Star Kist Samoa, is the single highest employer in the territory with 2,400 workers on her payroll. And 70% are Samoa citizens citizens hired as Guest Workers for the canneries in a government initiative to accommodate the cannery’s high manpower demands.

The guest worker program is exclusive for Samoan citizens only.

In American Samoa this week as guests of honor attrending the dedication of the new Legislative Building, the 2 new modern home for the territory’s Legislative Assembly, Star Kist President Injoo Ha and senior executives paid a courtesy call on Samoa’s leader and his delegation this morning.

In commending Star Kist, the Prime Minister acknowledged the valuable contribution by Star Kist to provide employment opportunities which is one of the highest remittances source injected into Samoa’s economy.

And as leader of the new Government, he assures President Ha that he is committed to strengthening the partnership but with the same token ensure that the rights of Samoan citizens hired as guest workers are respected and not abused.

He said lodging and accommodation for Samoan guests workers with families and relatives is a social issue which has impacted the program and he wants Government to play a leading role.

To that end, he has invited Star Kist President for a more detail meeting next January with himself and a Minister of his Cabinet to be named to brainstorm on ideas, suggestions on a way forward.

At the upcoming meeting, the Prime Minister is asking Star Kist to submit a report on their challenges, weakness and how the Samoa Government can facilitate to ensure that Star Kist Samoa’s business interest are dealt with to their benefit of both the company and the Government of Samoa.

“As the leader of the new Government, I can assure you that we are open-minded, open to negotiate and we want to be part of the solution not the problem,” he added.

For Government, the planned new Consulate Office In American Samoa, said the Prime Minister is the beginning of a new chapter in the two Samoas history. From there, Government will join Star Kist initiative to provide housing for guest workers in the territory by building more accommodations’ for the Samoan guest workers.

Government has a one acre-property in Tafuna where the new Consulate Office will be headquartered.

“Government is willing to listen and our Consular Fata Brian Kaio living here is available for further discussions before our meeting in January,” the Prime Minister concluded.

December 1, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Health Bureau announced today (December 1) that medical fee waivers and various support measures will be provided to residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

     All individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) will receive full fee waivers for all necessary healthcare services (including drugs and medical devices) through the entire process of their treatment and rehabilitation.

     In addition, all residents (including foreign domestic helpers) of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including Wang Chi House which was not directly affected by the fire incident) will be eligible for full medical fee waivers until December 31, 2026. The waivers cover in-patient services, family medicine and specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) services (including psychiatry SOPCs), accident and emergency services, day hospitals, day procedures, community services and Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres under the HA. They may identify themselves as Wang Fuk Court residents to the HA during consultations and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) to facilitate the processing of relevant arrangements.

     The Department of Health will also put in place similar fee waiver arrangements, with a view to more comprehensively supporting the medical needs of residents affected by the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court.

     The Government will continue to spare no effort in providing treatment and care for the injured.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales in October, provisionally estimated at $35.2 billion, was up 6.9% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 5.3% higher year-on-year.

Online sales accounted for 14.6% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $5.2 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 27.2% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified increased by 24.6%.

There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+9.5%); other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+9.7%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+6%); commodities in department stores (+5.8%); wearing apparel (+0.9%); medicines and cosmetics (+3.8%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+1.1%); and optical shops (+4.4%).

By contrast, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased 1.8%. Also down were sales of motor vehicles and parts (-20.1%); fuels (-8.7%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-0.6%); furniture and fixtures (-2.3%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-6.6%).

The Government said the recovery in retail sales gathered strength in October. Sales of most broad retail outlet types continued to grow.

Looking ahead, the Government expects that ongoing improvement in local consumer sentiment and sustained notable growth in visitor arrivals should continue to render support to retail businesses.