COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
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Mainland Professionals Scheme. This scheme allows companies in the information technology and financial services sectors to employ Mainland professionals who can contribute to their businesses and, in turn, the economic development of Hong Kong.
Consumer Protection
Consumer Council
The Consumer Council is a statutory body established in April 1974 for protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services and purchasers of immovable property. The council comprises a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and 20 members appointed by the Government from a wide spectrum of the community. It forms committees and working groups to deal with specific consumer-protection tasks. The council office is headed by a chief executive, and has eight functional divisions and a staff of 125.
The council seeks to empower consumers and strives for a fair market through its consumer policy work, complaint and advice service, research and survey programmes, publications and consumer education activities.
As an advocate of fair competition, the council works closely with the Government, particularly the Competition Policy Advisory Group, of which the council's chief executive is a member. During the year, the council examined a number of matters that raised concerns over fair competition and made recommendations to the Government. It also organised two workshops for government officials on analysis of competition issues in policy formulation. With international experts in this field as presenters, the workshops were designed to assist officials in proposing initiatives for furthering the Government's competition policy and examining competition issues within their areas of responsibility.
The council's testing and survey programmes seek to provide consumers with objective and up-to-date information so that they can make informed choices. During the year, 39 product tests, 52 in-depth studies and 16 survey projects were completed. Most products were tested mainly for their safety, performance, convenience, durability and environmental impact. The tests and surveys covered a wide range of products and services, from digital cameras and skin-whitening products to credit card charges.
The council provides complaint and advice services to the community through an extensive network of telephone hotlines and 12 consumer advice centres. It acts as mediator between consumers and the traders concerned. During the year, 22 890 consumer complaints were received, the highest figure on record.
The council is practically in daily contact with the mass media on all matters of consumer interest and concern. Its monthly magazine, CHOICE, regularly publishes findings of comparative product tests and service surveys providing useful and practical information, advice and viewpoints to the public. The magazine's reach extends far beyond its average monthly circulation of 30 000, penetrating virtually all sectors of the community through extensive media coverage and press statements published at the council's website. The response to the Consumer Rights Reporting Awards 2002 was so encouraging that the event will from now on be organised annually and its award-presentation ceremony coincide with the World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 every year.