ENG-2013 — Page 19

Calendar of Events

2013

25

29

April

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5

8

00

9

11

18

19

23

26

May

1

The Court of Final Appeal holds that section 2(4)(a)(vi) of the Immigration Ordinance, which prevents persons who enter Hong Kong for employment as foreign domestic helpers from building up, while so employed, the period of ordinary residence necessary for acquiring Hong Kong permanent resident status, is consistent with Article 24(2)(4) of the Basic Law and constitutionally valid.

A new record is set with 1,172 flight movements handled at the Hong Kong International Airport in a single day, breaking the previous single-day record of 1,081 flight movements set on 22 December 2012.

The Chief Executive meets the visiting President of Mexico, Mr Enrique Peña Nieto, at Government House.

The first payments of the new Old Age Living Allowance, which aims to benefit over 400,000 elderly people, are made.

The Chief Executive accepts the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission that the Hon Mr Justice Joseph Paul Fok, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, be appointed a permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from 21 October 2013.

The Education Bureau announces the setting up of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education.

The Labour and Welfare Bureau announces the formation of the Standard Working Hours Committee.

The coxswains of the two passenger vessels which collided off Lamma Island on 1 October 2012, resulting in the sinking of one of the vessels and the death of 39 passengers, are each charged with 39 counts of manslaughter.

Professor Kenneth Young, Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council, says that the impact of the first three-year cycle of the New Academic Structure, the New Senior Secondary curriculum and the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination has been positive and there have been notable achievements.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of Vessels near Lamma Island on 1 October 2012 submits its report to the Chief Executive, having conducted 50 days of substantive hearings between 12 December 2012 and 12 March 2013 and received evidence from 113 witnesses.

The Chief Secretary for Administration launches the eight-month 'Hong Kong: Our Home' campaign, which includes more than 1,100 events and activities under four themes: 'Vibrant Hong Kong, 'Hip Hong Kong, 'Caring Hong Kong' and 'Fresh Hong Kong!

The government announces that Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to pursue a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

A major three-day cleanup operation is launched in all of Hong Kong's 18 districts to boost environmental hygiene and cleanliness.

The statutory minimum wage increases from $28 to $30 per hour.