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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 20) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, members will debate a motion on urging enterprises to fulfill their social responsibility.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Chan Kam-lam, says: "That, amid the financial tsunami, the general public of Hong Kong are stoically facing up to economic hardship, yet some enterprises have still effected layoffs and pay cuts despite making huge profits, and fail to go through the hard times with the public; on the other hand, the management and major shareholders of individual enterprises have recklessly resorted to various ploys to maximise their private interests, while the interests of minority shareholders are left unprotected; as such, this Council urges the Government to create a favourable environment for enterprises to fulfill their social responsibility, implement employment training programmes, and support those enterprises which are in difficulty, while at the same time discussing with the business sector to urge enterprises that, in seeking to make profits, they must also take into account the overall interests of the community, enhance the transparency of corporate decision making, strengthen communication with their employees, fulfill their social responsibility and must not effect layoffs and pay cuts, so as to safeguard the rights and interests of employees and minority shareholders."
Hon Wong Sing-chi, Hon Tommy Cheung, Hon Cheung Kwok-che, Hon Alan Leong, Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Hon Ronny Tong, Hon Ip Wai-ming, Hon Leung Kwok-hung and Hon Lee Cheuk-yan will move separate amendments to Hon Chan Kam-lam's motion.
Meanwhile, members will debate another motion on promoting the development of the testing and certification industry in Hong Kong. The motion, to be moved by Hon Andrew Leung, says: "That Hong Kong has a professional and established testing and certification industry which brings substantial benefits to our economy and helps safeguard the interests of consumers both locally and overseas; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to grasp the market opportunities and draw up a comprehensive plan to facilitate the growth of this industry by:
(a) outsourcing more government testing services to private laboratories;
(b) promoting the service of the industry in the Mainland and in the region;
(c) strengthening the local accreditation system to enable the industry to engage in a wider range of testing services;
(d) reinforcing the reputation of the industry by concluding more mutual recognition agreements overseas; and
(e) widening the scope of food testing in the interests of consumers."
Hon Tommy Cheung and Hon Fred Li will move separate amendments to Hon Andrew Leung's motion.
On Government motions, the Secretary for Education will move a resolution under the Education Ordinance to amend section 40BK(3)(a) of the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) by repealing "July 1, 2009" and substituting "July 1, 2011".
The Secretary for Development will move another resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Building (Minor Works) Regulation.
On Bill, Second Reading Debate on the Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) (Amendment) Bill 2009 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
During the meeting, members will also ask the Administration 20 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council web site (www.legco.gov.hk).
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, May 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:18
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