Appendix I
Living Guide in Hong Kong
Proposed contents outline
1.
Introduction
This part of the Guide contains brief description of geography, climate,
ethnicity, language and demographic characteristics of Hong Kong.
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2.
Geography: Location – Eastern Asia, Hong Kong consists Hong
Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, area:
1,104 square km
Climate – Topical monsoon, cool and dry in winter, hot and rainy
from spring through summer, warm and sunny in autumn
Ethnicity – 6.52 million (95%) Chinese and 0.34 million (5%)
non-Chinese
Language – Official languages are Chinese and English, major
dialect is Cantonese
Demographic characteristics – population: 6.86 million, median
age: 39, sex ration: 911 males per 1,000 females
Home and living
In this chapter, we will provide tips and practical suggestions on the
practices and measures for safety and against breaching of laws and rules 
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Falling from height – Particular attention should be paid to avoid
falling from height when doing household work such as cleaning
windows or drying clothes. (e.g. It has become regular news that
foreign domestic helpers, in particular those of Indonesian origins,
die in fall from high-rise buildings, when cleaning windows or
drying clothes.)
Burning charcoal – Burning charcoal within a closed environment
would be fatal. (e.g. A tragic accident of a Nepalese mother and
child happened when they had reportedly burned charcoal to keep
warm inside an apartment with closed windows.)
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3.
Unattended children – Child neglect is a criminal offence. It
includes leaving children at home unattended. (e.g. since 2008,
there have been 8 cases in which parents left their children at home
unattended and led to fatal incidents. Of 8 cases, 4 cases involved
ethnic minority parents.)
Keeping pets – Some buildings may have some restrictions on the
keeping of dogs and cats. This issue should be clarified before the
start of the tenancy, and a pet consent clause should be included in
the tenancy agreement if necessary.
Strange visitors – Although Hong Kong is one of the world’s safest
cities, it is advisable not to allow strangers into the premises
without first checking their identities.
Throwing objects from height – Throwing objects or allowing
objects to fall from height is illegal. It may cause personal injury,
and jeopardize environmental hygiene. Public rental housing
tenants who have thrown objects from height that causes serious
danger or personal injury may have their tenancy terminated
immediately, and may be prosecuted. Tenants are advised to
prevent objects from falling down accidentally and not to throw
objects from height.
Work
We shall provide readers with practical suggestions on the best practices
regarding employment and work safety.
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Labour rights - Employees are protected by labour laws in Hong
Kong. In case of doubt, an employee may contact the Labour
Department for enquiries.
Work safety – Special care and attention should be paid to work
safety, especially when working in some environments. (e.g. A
Pakistan girl was strangled to death when her scarf got caught in an
industrial ironer.)
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4.
Bribery and corruption – In Hong Kong, a person who offers
bribes for employment or accepts bribes in the capacity as an agent,
is illegal.
Equal opportunities - Discrimination based on gender, disability,
marital status, pregnancy, family status or race is illegal.
Complaints may be made to the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Keeping of employment records – Before accepting an
employment offer, an employee should know the identity of the
employer, fully understand the employment terms and agree with
them. An employee should get into the habit of keeping
employment records, which will help safeguard his/her employment
rights. If an employee is owed wages, or if he/she finds the
employer failing to take out employees’ compensation insurance
policy for him, he/she should seek help from the Labour
Department.
Job selection – It is not advisable to take up dangerous jobs such as
construction work, operation of heavy machinery, handling of
chemicals, etc., unless trained or experienced in such jobs.
Getting around
We shall provide some useful tips for newly arrived ethnic minorities to
get around Hong Kong.
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Identity card – According to the Immigration Ordinance, a person
shall carry his proof of identity (e.g. Identity card) when he has
attained the age of 15. The Police may ask a person to show his or
her Identity card.
Littering and spitting – Anyone who commits such offences as
littering, spitting, unauthorized display of bills and posters,
fouling of streets by dog faeces in public places and feeding
pigeons causing dirtiness to public places in Hong Kong shall be
liable to a fixed penalty of HK$1,500.
Shopping bag – To protect the environment, an environmental levy
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of 50 cents on each plastic shopping bag at the retail level, with the
first phase covering chain or large supermarkets, convenience stores
and personal healthy and beauty product stores has been introduced.
It is advisable to bring a shopping bag with you at all times.
5.
Health and safety
We shall provide readers with useful information on the personal hygiene
and safety and measures to avoid trauma.
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Road safety – There was concern that ethnic minorities (especially
children) are frequent victims of road accidents. Ethnic minorities
should be aware of traffic system, operation of traffic lights, proper
use of seat belt and hand-held mobile phone on the road, drink
driving/drug driving, road crossing code, pedestrian safety and
cycling safety.
They should also pay particular attention to their children and alert
their children of the danger involved.
Motor cyclists – In Hong Kong, no person shall drive a motor cycle,
or ride as a passenger on a motor cycle unless he is wearing an
approved protective helmet. The Transport Department may grant
exemption, on merit of each application, exemption to Sikh
followers from wearing protective helmets.
Smoking ban - Smoking is prohibited in all indoor workplaces and
public places. The Department of Health provides the public with
smoking cessation hotline and smoking cessation clinics to help
smokers to get rid of nicotine addiction. Some charitable
ogranisations are also providing free-of-charge counseling and drug
treatments to help smokers to quite smoking.
Hand hygiene – Though simple, hand hygiene when done properly
is the best way to prevent infections from spreading.
Cough manner – Cover your cough and sneezes. While having
respiratory symptoms, put on a surgical mask.
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6.
Local etiquette and culture
This chapter will provide readers with general advices on local cultures to
facilitate social integration with local people.
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The traditional Chinese in Hong Kong consider that the colour red
as a lucky colour. The colours white and black are used in
funerals and sometimes considered inauspicious.
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Greeting customs with local Chinese
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Local festivals
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Women’s ages or personal income are often viewed as personal
matters and it may not be proper to ask about them.
Essential hotlines - for emergency / general enquiry for public services.
Reference to "Your Guide to Services in Hong Kong" published by
CMAB and their availability.
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