************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting this Wednesday (November 13) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on opposing the expansion of labour importation.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Kwok Wai-keung, states: "That the Government has recently released a population policy consultation document entitled 'Thoughts for Hong Kong', which mentions the problem of manpower shortage in certain industries, thus triggering off discussions on whether it is necessary to import labour to Hong Kong; yet in reality, although the economic environment is booming in recent years, soaring rents have eroded wage increases, resulting in employees not only being unable to share the fruit of economic development, but also facing a harsh working environment of long working hours and poor benefits, etc.; should more workers be imported, local workers' bargaining power will be further undermined; in this connection, this Council opposes the expansion of labour importation."
Mr Poon Siu-ping, Mr Frankie Yick, Dr Chiang Lai-wan and Mr Lee Cheuk-yan will move separate amendments to Mr Kwok Wai-keung's motion.
Mr Chan Kam-lam will move another motion on coping with the challenges and opportunities from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The motion states: "That in August this year, the State Council officially approved the setting up of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and it is expected that FTZ will realise the liberalisation of the Renminbi capital accounts and interest rates, and, through establishing a 'Negative List' administrative approach, expedite the opening up of service sectors such as finance, transportation, commerce and trade, professional and culture, etc.; the development of FTZ will have impact on Hong Kong as an international financial, commercial and trade centre; in this connection, this Council urges the SAR Government to proactively study and formulate relevant policies and measures on areas such as strengthening Hong Kong's financial innovation and construction, striving for the liberalisation of services and trade with the Mainland and co-operation with the neighbouring regions and the Pearl River Delta Region, etc., so as to cope with the further accelerated pace of the Mainland's market opening reforms, thereby consolidating the status of Hong Kong as China's international financial, commercial and trade centre facing the world."
Mr Ng Leung-sing and Dr Kwok Ka-ki will move separate amendments to Mr Chan Kam-lam's motion.
Meanwhile, Ms Cyd Ho will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period of amending the Country Parks (Designation)(Consolidation)(Amendment) Order 2013, laid on the table of the LegCo on October 16, 2013, to the meeting of December 4, 2013.
Mr Andrew Leung will also move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion, states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 3/13-14 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on November 13, 2013 in relation to the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2013."
On Bill, the Rural Representative Election Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2013 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
In addition, the Secretary for Food and Health will present the Annual Reports of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health and address the Council.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found in the LegCo website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also watch or listen the meeting via the web broadcast system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, November 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:42
NNNN
