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Consultancy study on pricing of mapping services & product
The Lands Department has appointed P-E Handley Walker (HK) and Ordnance Survey International to jointly study the costing and pricing of the survey services and mapping products provided by its Survey and Mapping Office (SMO).
A spokesman for the department said today (Sunday) that the eight-month study would include full costing analysis and would recommend a pricing policy on the SMO's present and future services and products.
"The consultant will also recommend copyright charges for all SMO products and advise on copyright protection.
"It will also identify market demand, devise marketing strategy and explore the possibilities of joint venture with private firms and public bodies," he said.
"With a view to increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the SMO, the study will look into current practices and procedures, as well as the possibility for the office to become an independent department or a trading fund organisation," the spokesman added.
The SMO is responsible for land and air surveys and all types of mapping in Hong Kong. Its services and products are available to Government departments and the private sector.
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Underpayment of wages incurs fine
The Labour Department today (Sunday) warned employers against underpaying employees.
Fortune-Come Restaurant Ltd. in Tuen Mun was recently fined $30,000 in Tuen Mun Magistracy for underpaying an imported worker's wages of about $7,520.
"Under Section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages are due at the end of the wage period, and must be paid in full as soon as practicable and in any case, not later than seven days after the end of the period," Acting Senior Labour Officer (Prosecutions), Mrs Tonia Leung, said.