Info Center

An MPF Resource Centre has been set up within the premises of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) to provide employers of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with easy access to MPF information.

Speaking at today's (November 6) Management Board meeting, Chairman of the MPFA, the Hon. Charles Lee Yeh-kwong said, "With the establishment of the resource centre, the Authority can enhance its communication with SMEs and their related trade associations.

"The centre also serves to assist SME employers to get familiar with the operation of provident funds and to understand their legal responsibilities with respect to the MPF System."

SME employers are encouraged to make use of the exhibition panels, publications and various sets of regulations and guidelines that are on display at the resource centre.

On the promotion of the Industry Schemes, Mr Lee said MPFA would continue to take proactive measures and work closely with the trade associations, labour unions and the government in promoting the scheme to both the construction and catering industries.

"The Authority has made a submission to the Construction Industry Review Committee under the Works Bureau. It outlines improvements that need to be made to some of the trade practices and structural characteristics of the construction industry so as to remove the obstacles to the implementation of the Industry Schemes," Mr Lee added.

The Works Bureau has earlier issued a circular letter to all approved Government contractors to remind them of their legal responsibility under the MPF Ordinance. The Hong Kong Contractors' Association and the Real Estate Developers' Association have also made the same appeal to their members.

Addressing concerns of some self-employed persons, the Board noted that the MPFA was legally bound to keep the personal data of scheme members in strict confidence.

The Board also learnt that the MPFA would put in place a computerized complaint handling system before December 1, which would enable the MPFA to monitor the trustees' complaint handling capabilities.

In the meantime, the MPFA's Call Centre will be manned by 100 trained staff by the time the MPF System is launched.

End/Monday, November 6, 2000