Environment chief denies pollution numbers game
The environment chief has defended recent adjustments to air pollution baselines and targets, stressing the changes will not affect the amount of emissions that are cut. Edward Yau Tang-wah told legislators that the changes were made in line with international practice in calculating emissions and denied it was a numbers game. Earlier this month it was found that Guangdong's 1997 emission baseline pollutants had been underestimated by between 41 and 112 per cent, while Hong Kong's baseline on pollutants that cause smog had been underestimated by 28 per cent. By underestimating the emissions, the extent of reductions required by 2010 would be smaller, making it easier to achieve the targets.
High staff turnover
Staff turnover in the private sector is estimated to have reached 17 or 18 per cent last year, says Eddie Ng Hak-kim of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management. It is the highest level in recent years. Turnover rates reached 25 per cent in the early 1990s, Mr Ng said. He did not expect the rate to climb this year as 'people are getting a bit more conservative' in less certain times.
Justice minister's rating drops
The public's rating of Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung has dropped to a new low of 60.3 points out of 100, a Chinese University survey has shown. Mr Wong's rating dipped 2.8 points from December. Pollster Timothy Wong Ka-ying attributed the drop to the prosecution of Citizens' Radio and alleged preferential treatment for tycoon Peter Lam Kin-ngok on a speeding charge. Satisfaction with the government's performance dropped 6.5 percentage points to 27.2.