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"Workers to be exported will be required to pass a test in China which covers various aspects such as Hong Kong employment laws. They will be issued with a certificate by MOFTEC after passing the test."

She was told the training scheme would be ready in June and only those with a relevant certificate would be eligible to come for work in Hong Kong.

The Commissioner for Labour welcomed various measures to be introduced by the Chinese Government and undertook to offer assistance and comments on the Chinese training scheme.

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Public consultation on telephone services pricing launched

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (Wednesday) issued a public consultation paper on the review of the pricing structure of local fixed telephone services.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Telecommunications Authority, Mr Alex Arena, said: "We wish to find out whether there is sufficiently strong justification and public support for changing the present pricing structure of local fixed telephone

service.

"The consultation document gives a clear and full picture of the existing flat- rate local fixed telephone tariff structure and the major reasons for the review.

"In recent years, we have seen rapid changes in the use of local telephone lines for new non-telephonic purposes especially computer or other machine based usages.

"If we continue to allow uncontrolled use by machines free-of-charge of the public telephone network, there is a danger that telephone charges could be pushed up significantly or service quality would deteriorate quickly. Other places such as the United States are facing the same problem.

"We have an obligation to bring the attention of the public to these changed circumstances and the latest developments in telecommunications here and abroad.

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