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SCMP Reporter

How can unfair sales practices be wiped out?
It is about time more was done to  protect consumers.
For example, I receive sales calls every day on my mobile phone from a vendor.  Even though I have  told the vendor to stop calling, the calls keep coming.
I wonder if any of your readers  have ever made a complaint to the telecoms watchdog Ofta?
Their response  discourages people from making any further complaints.
They   reply with a standardised, long and confusing e-mail asking you whether you agree to let the vendor know your private information.  The e-mail has  at least three pages of wording (single-spaced) about this and that.
This seems like adding salt to the wound.
It is frustrating having to pay for all these sales calls with this long, standardised e-mail response.
I am giving an 'F' to Ofta.
Jeremy Low, North Point
What is the best way to support the film industry?
The decline in the film industry is a global problem.
If we are going to support the  industry, we must not buy the pirated DVDs  that could destroy it.
The best place to watch films is in the cinema.  But filmmakers can also do their bit by producing high-quality films.
Kathy Lau, Tai Kok Tsui
Should domestic helpers be given more protection?
I support the decision to put Jacky Cheung Hok-yau  on a blacklist over his treatment of his former foreign domestic helpers.
Employers have to appreciate that domestic helpers are not machines.
They need to be able to take a rest. I do not think all employers appreciate the sacrifices made to come here.
Many helpers need to sell  property to pay for their Hong Kong placement fees, or they borrow money at a high rate of interest.
Often they have to leave behind a young family.  Sometimes  the children are too young to understand why their mother has to leave.
My simple advice to women planning to come here and work as a helper is: be careful when you are looking for an employer.
Valentina P. Baliton, The Peak
Domestic helpers should be given  more protection.
Helpers working here away from their own country might not be clear about how to report their cases if there is a problem with an employer.
Or they might be afraid that if they report abuse by an employer, the mistreatment will only get worse, or they might be sent back home and face large debts.
The government should ensure that these workers are informed of their rights and the help they can get. If they have to leave a job, then the Hong Kong administration should co-ordinate with the Philippine consulate so the worker can get back to Hong Kong as soon as possible and be given another appointment.
Joyce Chin, Hung Hom
How should we tackle teenage drug abuse?
I am concerned about the large number of teenagers who are taking drugs.
Many teenagers start taking drugs out of curiosity.
If adults try to explain to teenagers how dangerous drugs are, it  may be counter-productive and  make them want to try drugs.
Teachers must keep a close watch on their worst students and notice the signs of drug abuse.
Parents should also keep a watch on their children and should try to get the message across to  them about how serious a problem drug-taking is.
Young people have to learn that good health is so precious.
Barry Chan Ka-yu, Sha Tin
Will you ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car in future?
I will definitely ride on the cable car when it reopens, especially since the MTR Corporation has taken it over.
With the MTR Corp in charge, I feel a greater degree of confidence, as it has a very good safety record in the operation of  its trains.
I believe it will have as good a safety record with the operation of the cable car.
Also, because of the problems the cable car has encountered in the past, government experts will be extra vigilant.
With such an experienced company in charge, I think the  Ngong Ping 360 will be a big success when it reopens.
Ellen Chen, Mong Kok
On other matters...
I am writing in reference to the report headlined 'New licence policy angers sailing coaches'  (September 29).
I can fully understand Dinghy Instructors' Association  chairwoman Alexandra Chan Oi-ling  expressing her frustration over the difficulty of renewing and obtaining licences from the Hong Kong Sailing Federation.
Having been involved in the sailing community - both racing and instructing at club level - for the past 10 years and  also having a son  on the Hong Kong Optimist  team, I have had nothing but problems when dealing with the federation.
All instructor courses are published with minimal notification, making it impossible for people to get time off to  attend them.
Apart from a bleak website, there is no communication and transparency is non-existent, with phone lines never answered.
The government has provided many sailing centres for local children to take up sailing, yet one is surprised how few kids there are on the water.  One can only surmise that this is due to the restrictions that have been enforced by the federation.
One only needs to look at Singapore, where on any weekend there are 150 boats on the water, and their results at international level are second to none.
Furthermore, one is very surprised that there is no sailing for handicapped people in Hong Kong, as is so common overseas.
Sadly, there is little competition among sailors on a national level, and all that is well organised is at club level.
In conclusion, therefore, I  find the federation the most incompetent organisation in the territory.  It has done more to hinder the sport than to promote it.
Jan Bochenski, Tai Tam



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Ngong Ping 360

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