April 30, 2024 The Chief Executive and the Executive Council announced that they have accepted the Minimum Wage Commission's recommendations on enhancing the minimum wage review mechanism, including reviewing the rate once a year. DAB Manpower Affairs Spokesperson and LegCo Member Frankie Ngan welcomed the Government to adopt the DAB's suggestions. The adoption of a formular would be objective, transparent, efficient and predictable, and could reduce the incidence of annual labor disputes. Frankie Ngan stated that the formula components took into account the inflation rate, maintained purchasing power of low-income employees, but also allowed grassroots workers to share the economic results. In addition, review of the rate once a year would allow the rate level to be adjusted according to the market. Frankie Ngan stated that the formula result should be determined by the Minimum Wage Committee and then submitted to the Chief Executive and the Executive Council for approval. He recommended an adjustment mechanism, whereby if the economic situation entered into a recession and components in the formula became negative, the number of people earning the minimum wage increased and unemployment rate increased, the minimum wage committee should commence the review process, refer to other economic data, and determine if it was necessary to lower the rate. It should make relevant recommendations to the Chief Executive and the Executive Council, or the system should grant the Chief Executive and the Executive Council the power to adjust the rate to enhance Hong Kong's economic development. Media enquiries: Frankie Ngan 6600 2511

April 30, 2024 The fire in New Lucky House revealed that the building had not complied with fire safety notices and building inspection orders, and firefighting equipment failed. There were also many hostels in operation, including some suspected unlicensed or shadow hotels. The poor maintenance condition of the building undoubtedly posed a threat to residents and visitors. DAB LegCo member (Kowloon West) Vincent Cheng met with hotel industry and urged the Government step up law enforcement against unlicensed or shadow hotels. The hotel industry should also be reminded to launch some fire prevention publicity campaigns or schemes. During the Labour Day Golden Week, they should call on the industry to ensure fire escape routes in the building are clear and the firefighting equipment are effective. Media enquiries: LegCo Member and DAB Home Affairs Spokesperson Vincent Cheng 63731979

April 27, 2024 The ninth meeting of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee was held in Beijing for four consecutive days starting from Tuesday (23rd). Starry Lee, member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, returned to Hong Kong after conclusion of the meeting and stated that during the meeting, a number of laws, including The Degree Law and the Tariff Law were reviewed, and the regulations to amend the National Defense Education Law were continued to be reviewed. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress also played an important role in overseeing the work of the Government. Government departments reported to the Standing Committee. For example, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated its 2023 objectives in the report, the fourth point emphasized development of a "waste-free city." Starry Lee stated that cities in the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong should expedite development of "waste-free cities". Hong Kong should explore its path to dispose of its solid waste responsibly. In addition, during the meeting, Starry Lee proposed to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that we should seize the opportunity at the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the country to seek support from the Central Government to develop Hong Kong's patriotic education. Starry Lee strived for support from the Central Government to launch patriotic activities in Hong Kong, to allow Hong Kong citizens of different backgrounds and ages to participate, share the joy of National Day, and deepen understanding of national development, increase identity and promote the return of people's hearts to the motherland. Specific recommendations included: hoping that the "Shandong" fleet or the active fleet would visit Hong Kong, arranging for national medal athletes to visit Hong Kong, donating giant pandas to Hong Kong, increasing the number of days and hours for the garrison in Hong Kong to be open, and allowing Hong Kong scientific personnel to participate in the inspection of Snow Dragon icebreaker.

April 25, 2024 The Hong Kong Audit Commission recently released a new audit report, stating that from 2014 to 2019, the service quota for government dental clinics was approximately 40,000 per year. However, from 2019 to 2023, the number of service quotas dropped sharply from 40,322 to 20,337, highlighting the serious shortage of dental doctors and preventing the government from increasing the dental quota. Audit Commission staff observed that some clinics had queues starting at 5 p.m., and residents had to wait at least 7 hours to complete initial registration. The report emphasized that this service arrangement needed to be optimized urgently. LegCo member Ben Chan agreed with the Audit Commission's report and believed that introducing more dentists and developing auxiliary medical professions would help improve public dental services. He emphasized that the current public dental services were seriously insufficient. There were only 11 public dental services in Hong Kong, and the 40 dental outpatient centers under the Department of Health only provided about 4,000 free quotas every month, which was insufficient in meeting the needs of the public. Ben Chan mentioned the DAB "Dental Service Development Blueprint and Public Dental Service Policy Initiative" and expressed hopes that the Government would make reference to the benchmarks and goals for dental service in the next ten years. Ben Chan also expressed support for the government’s recent amendment to the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill  and believed that the amendment would help improve the dental manpower shortage problem. The Audit Commission’s report and Ben Chan’s initiatives would inject new impetus into the reform and development of public dental services. Faced with the growing demand for dental services from the public, the Government and all sectors of society needed to work together to promote the implementation and improvement of relevant policies, to improve dental care for the public.

April 23, 2024 Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that the newly enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance already regulated false information, and prohibited false statements. There would be no plans to have a false information law. LegCo member Elizabeth Quat agreed that current laws were sufficient. Media contact: DAB LegCo member Elizabeth Quat 9031 7995

April 21, 2024 The G7 foreign ministers and European Unions made unfounded and biased statement to smear the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance after the meeting. DAB vice chairman Holden Chow and Chan Hok-fung, Secretary Chief Chris Ip, LegCo members Edward Leung and Nixie Lam and many district councilors and officers, went to the U.S. Consulate General to condemn unfounded and biased statement by G7 foreign ministers and European Union. Hong Kong’s enactment of Safeguarding National Security laws was to fulfil its constitutional duty, and meet aspirations of the people. Safeguarding national security was paramount in all sovereign countries.  The United States had at least 21 laws related to safeguarding national security, and other members of the G7 and EU countries also had laws to protect their own security. The DAB condemned western hegemony and would back the country and HKSAR Government’s determination and work to safeguard national security.

April 9, 2024 The Chief Executive announced that Hong Kong had successfully purchased telecast rights for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. The DAB supported this and thanked the Chief Executive for accepting our recommendations from last year. The citizens could watch and cheer for the Hong Kong team, and enjoy the games. Vincent Cheng welcomed that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department would arrange for live broadcasts. The public could gather and cheer for the athletes. Brave Chan recommended that we should promote Olympic-related activities and products before the games. He believed that the time difference would not have a big impact, and citizens could support the Chinese national team and the Hong Kong team. Media contact: Vincent Cheng, DAB LegCo member and DAB Home Affairs, Culture and Sports Spokesperson 6373 1979 Brave Chan, convener of HK NPC deputies, and LegCo member, 9668 6095

April 16, 2024 The risks arising from old buildings not fully complying with fire safety regulations and building inspection orders were revealed in the incident of the fatal fire. The Chief Executive ordered work to strengthen fire prevention, including submitting amendment to the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance to the LegCo in two to three months. LegCo member Vincent Cheng welcomed this. Government expressed that they would strengthen law enforcement, and review and formulate priorities for law enforcement work. Vincent Cheng stated the Development Bureau accepted our suggestion last year and established a tripartite coordination mechanism. The Development Bureau would coordinate and work with the Buildings Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Urban Renewal Authority to step up the handling of cases of failure to comply with building inspection and fire protection orders. He hoped that the Government would make good use of this coordination mechanism to encourage more owners of old buildings to comply with building inspection and fire safety orders to protect the safety of residents. Media contact:  LegCo member Vincent Cheng 63731979

April 15, 2024 This year marked the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the overall concept of national security. Today was also the first National Security Education Day after the implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in Hong Kong. The DAB and Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers held online lecture on National Security Education Day "Safeguarding Hong Kong and understanding the law". New Territories School Heads Association and Kowloon Region School Heads Association and Hong Kong Island School Heads Association supported this. Guest speakers for the lecture included Secretary for Security Christ Tang, HKSAR deputy to the NPC and HKFEW Chairman Wong Kam Leung, DAB vice chairman and LegCo member Holden Chow. Action and Publicity Committee vice chairman Jack Cheung hosted the lecture, and introduced the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. More than 140 teachers and students from schools participated. Chris Tang expressed that he would continue to explain the laws to the public. The law was drafted in the same way as other common laws, and stipulated exceptions and defenses. Law-abiding citizens would not be caught by mistake. Wong Kam Leung talked about the importance of safeguarding national security from a macro perspective. It was also important to cultivate a safe environment in schools and nurture students' sense of citizenship and responsibility. Holden Chow said that national security was closely related to economic development. Without security and stability, society would have difficulty promoting economic development and improving people's livelihood. Now that Hong Kong had enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the society could focus on economic development.

April 15, 2024 Today, the Hong Kong Care Homes Association, after being contacted by LegCo members Stanley Li and Tik Chi-yuen, met with the Under Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Diane Wong, to express difficulties faced by elderly care homes under the Municipal Solid Waste Charging scheme. The Hong Kong Care Homes Association representatives expressed the following: First, the selected premises for MSW Charging Demonstration Scheme should be increased, and the period should be extended. Second, residents of nursing homes used a huge amount of diapers, protective clothing, gloves, and impossible to reduce waste at source. Third, according to the care home statistics, after implementation of the plan, each resident will have to pay about 396 HKD in garbage fees per month. At present, about 80% of the residents in the home are Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, and the Government’s 10HKD allowance would not be enough to cover the fees. Subcommittee on Promoting Carer-centric Policies Chairman and DAB Welfare Services Spokesperson Stanley Li, stated that the MSW Charging Demonstration Scheme would shed light on difficulties of carrying out the scheme. He hoped that the Government would listen to the views of the industry, come up with solutions and review feasibility of the scheme. Media contact: Subcommittee on Promoting Carer-centric Policies Chairman DAB Welfare Services Spokesperson LegCo member Stanley Li (9797 7393)

April 13, 2024 In order to reduce the risk of serious complications and hospitalization due to seasonal influenza, the DAB Ethnic Minorities Committee and its service center jointly held an event with the Muslim Council at the Muslim Council’s Sham Shui Po office to promote "Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Campaign for Ethnic Minorities". A number of ethnic minority families and children were vaccinated, and non-ethnic minority residents also participated. Residents who fell outside the target groups were also subsidized for vaccination. LegCo member and Chairman of the DAB Ethnic Minorities Committee, Vincent Cheng, expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong Muslim Council for this arrangement and hoped there would be more similar events in the future to serve residents. Media contact: Chairman of the DAB Ethnic Minorities Committee Vincent Cheng (63731979)

April 11, 2024 According to statistics based on recipients of support services from the Social Welfare Department, there were currently about 19,000 preschool children with special educational needs (SEN) under the age of 6. Although the government had strengthened support assistance in recent years, SEN children and their parents still struggled to receive support. The DAB interviewed SEN preschool children and their parents by interviewing SEN parents and cooperating with professional groups. The DAB proposed policy initiatives to "support preschool children with special educational needs". The DAB would like to express our special thanks to "Heep Hong Society". According to government data, only about 61% of new cases in 2022 would have assessment completed within 6 months, lower than 73% in 2021, and this was far below the department’s target of 90% of cases. Stanley Li believed that the waiting queue was so long, which might delay the opportunity for children to be identified and assisted. The DAB put forward 5 recommendations: 1. Establish an "Assessment Voucher" to subsidize queuing applicants to be referred to private or social welfare organizations for assessment 2. Subsidize the purchase of training services 3. Optimize training subsidies 4. Set up more subsidized parent/relative resource center 5. Establish an "Assessment Center" waiting list pledge News enquiries: LegCo member Stanley Li 9797 7393 LegCo member Frankie Ngan 6600 2511 LegCo member Nixie Lam 6344 0879