Multi-stakeholders Dialogue - MTR

The two rails (KCR and MTR) merger was the hottest topic last week. The hot topic this week is something else, which will be posted later. Now, the merger allows MTR to have ownership of KCR for 30 years. After that, it's another story. The government welcomes it and so do the customers - as we are expecting fares cut.

So, the Hong Kong public were well-informed on the merger by the news media. There's nothing we don't know. As shareholders of MTR, I am sure you have read the public announcement. And how about the MTR Club members? No worry! You should have received an email about the merger, just like I did. Okay...maybe some of you are asking what is MTR Club member? Well, it a membership for MTR riders or anyone who have an Octopus Card. You will be able to earn points and get free single journey ticket or get gifts like MTR Map Carpet.

Back to multi-stakeholders dialogue. As a member of the MTR Club, I received an email:

Dear XXXX,

You may have heard from the news that MTR Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government setting out the terms of a proposed merger of the operations of the MTR Corporation and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.

We believe the proposed rail merger is a fair and balanced package that offers benefits to everyone including you, as a member of the travelling public of Hong Kong. If the proposed merger is approved, you will be the first to enjoy significant fare reductions, namely, a minimum 10% discount on adult Octopus fares for long distance journeys at or above HK$12 while medium distance travellers using adult Octopus will enjoy a minimum 5% fare reduction on journeys costing HK$8.5 to HK$11.9. Interchange arrangements will also become more convenient through the removal of interchange gates at Kowloon Tong, Mei Foo and Nam Cheong stations in phases.

To obtain more details of the proposed merger,please click here.

MTR Corporation

It's nice that MTR considers the MTR Club members as stakeholders and informing us. It was a surprise on how far MTR is going with CSR. But how come I never received email about their CSR Report. hmm...

When Mickey goes nasty!

The news is over everywhere in Hong Kong local newspapers, making headlines.

Hong Kong Disneyland character performers say they are overworked and underpaid and want the theme park to improve their working environment, reported by SCMP.

The Disney's Staff Union say that many character performers suffered joint and muscle aches and pains due to lack of rest and poor working environment of more 12 hours a day. Also their salary, HKD 9,000, is lower than live shows performers. The character performers are asking for equitable pay.

In addition, the union is demanding the Hong Kong Labour Department to make joint and muscle aches and pains a notifiable occupational diseases under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.

The theme park's Vice-President of Entertainmen, Laurie Jordan, said these are few exceptional cases and are not representative of the cast in general.

Source: Dennis Eng, 'Mickey and friends call for a better work environment', SCMP 10 April 2006.