In Brief
Clarity called for on minimum pay for stand-by workers
Lawmakers on a bills committee are urging the government to state clearly in the minimum wage bill whether workers who are told to stay in a specific location on stand-by status are entitled to a minimum hourly wage. Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan yesterday questioned whether a tour guide who stayed in the same hotel as his customers and had to offer 24-hour assistance should be paid. The government said it would look into the issue.
Hospital Authority appoints new area chief executive
The Hospital Authority has appointed Dr Luk Che-chung as chief executive for hospitals in Hong Kong West and Queen Mary Hospital. He is taking up the posts to be vacated by Dr Lawrence Lai Fook-ming, who is retiring. An authority spokesman said Luk, 48, chief executive of hospitals in Kowloon East and United Christian Hospital since 2005, would take up his new roles early next year. The authority's chief executive, Shane Solomon, described Luk as 'the outstanding candidate'.
SFC ends Lehman Brothers probe
The Securities and Futures Commission finished investigating all 19 banks and brokers that sold Lehman Brothers minibonds in Hong Kong. The investigation was wrapped up after Grand Cathay Securities offered to compensate 37 customers a total of US$3.93 million. This included paying 15 customers their original investment, or a total of US$1.62 million. More than HK$5.2 billion has been paid to about 24,400 customers.
Fuel surcharges to rise again
Air Nippon, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines will raise fuel surcharges again next month. The Civil Aviation Department approved a 4 per cent increase on the surcharge for short- and long-haul flights to HK$78 and HK$362.
