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Starting from today (June 29), a total of 180 MPFA ambassadors, forming 18 teams, will visit nearly 60,000 shops throughout the territory to disseminate the MPF messages to shop owners and their employees.

To start its territory-wide "Operation-All-Shops (OAS)" exercise, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) held a kick-off ceremony at the Tamar Site.

Speaking at the ceremony, the MPFA Managing Director, Mr Rafael Hui, said, "We aim to remind the public of their rights and obligations under the MPF System through this operation. Our ambassadors will spread the messages direct to these shop owners and their employees."

With the full implementation of the MPF System in December this year, employers and employees will be required to participate in MPF schemes. It is estimated that over 80 per cent of the business establishments in Hong Kong are small to medium in size. Of them, nearly one third are shops.

All the ambassadors have been recruited from local universities. Wearing specially designed uniforms, they will visit nearly 60,000 shops on the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories from 11 am to 6 pm between June 29 and July 7.

"Young people are the pillar of our society. They are crucial to our long-term development. That's why we've got our university students involved in this very important project," said Mr Hui.

Officiating at the kick-off ceremony were Mr Tam Yiu-chung, Member of the Executive Council; Mrs Selina Chow, Member of the Legislative Council; Chairmen of the 18 District Councils and their representatives.

Other officiating guests included sponsors of the event, Mr Linus Cheung, Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless HKT; Mr Michael Tien, Managing Director of G2000; Ms Winnie Yu, Director & Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Radio; and Mr Adolf Hsu, Managing Director of New World First Bus.

Movie star Mr Stephen Chow, together with MPF stars, Ms Cass Phang and Mr Andy Hui, also took part in the event to demonstrate their support for the ambassadors.

Members of the MPFA Management Board and Advisory Committee, including Dr Lui Ming-wah, Mr Eddy Fong, Ms Anna Wu, Ms Chan Yuen-han, Mr Ng Leung-sing, Mr Bernard Chan, Mr Desmond Chan and Mr Poon Siu-ping, were present to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the 180 ambassadors.

After the ceremony, the MPFA Deputy Managing Director, Mr Alan Wong, led a team of MPF stars and ambassadors to Time Square and Russell Street in Causeway Bay to start the shop visits.

– Ends –

29 June 2000