However, a study by the policy think tank New Century Forum found that fresh graduates in the city earn 9.6 per cent less than those 25 years ago. When young people are not satisfied with their starting salaries, they try to get a higher degree. But the glut of degree holders in the market is likely to drive pay even lower, leading to a vicious cycle.

Yannis Chau 1A

Yannis Chau Chun-yan

Maternal love and repay
Where a place can always see her hand
I would never imagine her eyes replace by else
She whispers the lovely and incredible stories to my ear during night
Her ear gets close to me and I tell her my secret in darkness without light
Yawning when morning, tiredness never stop her from yawn
Owl just as her, every day is a sleepless night, never rest until dawn
Understanding her hardship, the balance of family and work but herself is never be considered
Help me to cover the body with the quilt at midnight
A warm action but not just for the cold body
Various of loves are gave to me,
Even heart is being melted by the maternal love, how blessed am I?
A big meal is prepared before the sun wakes up
Housework is the great duty did by her
A day is always long, time wanders but she runs
Preparing lunchboxes for family, ironing the washed clothes
Preparing the scrumptious supper for us, washing the dishes
Yawning after the housework but she have to complete the jobs of a magazine editor
Midnight, I stay in my dreamland, the lamp never off, the light shine at the whole night
Of course she’s fond of her works to revise the content in magazine
Making everything look perfect is her responsibility and I am be suggested to learn from her
Even colour and size of words, she is considering
Nothing can be done well if we work casually, she always says
Truly, I am be advised to learn from her since I do all my homework worse
On the side of mothers, their children seem like an unexpected gift from god
Nothing can hinder us in the destined meeting, everything is only control by fate
May, a month of maternal love and repay
On the day of Mothers’ Day, a special day
Truly love and thank from children to mothers with any method
Half of a day is spent on her, she may touched and cry by the caring and supportive action
Every mothers always love their children, you always be the best in the eyes of mothers
Readying the carnations with the rosy pink colour
’She work so hard but I always take the devotion as granted
Dear my mother who is best ever
A promise to you, I would treat my every work seriously
You often upset with my untidy room, I would clean up by time to time and never let you down ever
“I Love You,” my dear mother
 

 

 

Scarlett Zheng 1A

Zheng Chan-yung

My mom, she’s the best,
From her head to her toes!
She’s warm and she’s soft,
And smells as sweet as a rose.
 

 

 

Nikki Lui 1A

Lui Lok Yi

 

My mother is beautiful,
She is very wonderful.
She always takes care of me,
She always plays with me.
My mother is as hardworking as an ant,
She also as busy as a bee.
She likes reading books,
But she doesn't like sports.
 

 

 

Kelvin Cheng 1A

Kelvin Cheng Tsz-ho

My mother is a housewife.
She works so hard in her life.
She does a lot of things to help us.
My mother is just like a superwoman.
Giving us love,care and support.
When I am down,she always encourages me.
She makes me feel warm!
Mother’s Day is around corner,
what can we do for her?
I think we should express our heartiest thank to her.
Giving her some gifts and write a card for her.
She does so many things for us.
We will definitely thanks for her supportive encouragement.
Sharing the joy with my family.
Mum,the things that you have done for me,I will never forget.
I hope that I can try my best to let you to have a great Mother’s Day!
 

 

Hay Hong 1A

Hong Han Ling

My mother is a good mother
Often take care of the family
Tidying our home meticulously
Her existence makes everything better
Educating us patiently
Really thanks for your love and care wholeheartedly
Disconcert about our daily meals and health
Although sometimes you angry with me
You are the best mother ever in the world
 

 

 

Hugo Cheng 1A

 

Cheng Kwan-ho

 

My mother
My mother is the best woman that I have ever met.
She is the most important person in my mind.
She always understands how I feel.
She is caring, diligence and kind.
My mother gives birth to me,
she brings me to this world.
She brings me up laboriously,
as she wants me to be prominent.
Every time I feel grieved,
she consoles me.
She makes me feel relieved,
with her gentle smile.
This is my mother,
the model of the possessor.
I promise you to behave well,
not to disappoint you anymore
 

 

 

Heison Chan 1A

Chan Lok-hei

Thank you my beautiful mother
You make my boring life full of color
Although I can't afford to buy you flower
But when you feel bad I can give you power

13years been through
You are always by my side
Your love is the most selfless
I hope that you can happy all time
And you are my precious
I will study hard like you tell us
 

 

 

Grace So 1A

So Lam-ki

 

 

Clista Chau 1A

My mother is very caring,
Oh, she's a blessing.
The one who is knowledgeable.
Hearing my thoughts,
Ever so patient.
Remembering her, is my only job.

Clista Chau Cho-lam

Yeung Kei-man

Candy Ng 1A

High time Hong Kong played fair with unsung workforce that keeps city running

• Long hours and low pay are everyday realities for workers such as security guards and cleaners
• Parents should not stigmatise blue-collar work and should teach children to recognise and respect the dignity of labour

 

I refer to the April 13 article “A thankless task but someone has to do it – meet the men and women who keep people and property safe while everyone else sleeps”, about our mostly middle-aged workforce of security guards.

 

They are keeping us safe all right, but are also being forced to compromise on their own health and quality of life because of inhumane work hours and low pay, as a trade union study has shown (“1 in 5 Hong Kong employees ‘works an average of 55 hours per week’”, April 14).

People find different jobs according to their ability. However, it seems there are some jobs that no one likes to do. Parents see blue-collar work as being low quality and therefore tell their children that if they do not work hard, they will have no choice but to be manual labourers.

Undeniably, our security guards, cleaners and manual labourers should be praised for keeping the city moving, but they are the ones who suffer. What would the city be without the service rendered by such workers?

It is time that they were recognised for the work they do, and for such low wages. Ways must be found to improve their quality of life and their pay.

Both the government and private employers should provide benefits to these people, such as introducing standard working hours and increasing the minimum wage.

Moreover, children should be taught to respect them and recognise the dignity of labour. Everyone has a valuable role to play in society. Being a security guard or cleaner should not be seen as a job for losers.

Winnie Tse, Tseung Kwan O

 

There’s hope that movie future won’t come too soon

 

I am thankful for the work that Justin Lao is doing in making Cantonese popular among Beijing residents. Nowadays, English and Mandarin are the main focus for students, as these languages are useful in the workplace. Even in Hong Kong, where our mother tongue is Cantonese, the language is being ignored by many people.

I remember our teacher once showed us a movie called Ten Years, in which a section titled Dialect showed a not-too-distant future when Mandarin was becoming ever more popular in Hong Kong while Cantonese was slowly disappearing.

After watching that movie, I suddenly felt that I had been useless in promoting Cantonese to the next generation. Given the situation with the local education system, Cantonese may one day disappear from Hong Kong. The engineer in the article, Leslie Lyu from Shandong, gave me hope that at least the grim future predicted in the movie will not arrive too soon.

Angela Si, Tseung Kwan O

 

Why tobacco giant can expect little sympathy with research centre warning

• Investments should be made in technology that helps people and their health. The effect on tobacco businesses should not be an excuse for not placing a total ban on tobacco and related products

 

I am writing in response to the article, “Tobacco giant Philip Morris warns it may close HK$78 million research centre” (April 21).

 

The multinational tobacco company spent more than HK$78 million (US$10 million) on opening a research centre for new smoking products in Wong Chuk Hang less than a year back. It now warns that it may have to close the centre, putting dozens of jobs at risk, after the Hong Kong government decided to go beyond its earlier plan of regulating e-cigarettes and new tobacco products to instituting a total ban.

 

After Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s policy address announcement and consequent government action on proposals for a full ban on e-cigarettes and other smoking alternatives, the business definitely faces difficulties. However, the tobacco companies should find other ways to make money rather than sell e-cigarettes or other related products. Technology should be used for designing new products that improve people’s lives rather than harm them and others.

As for those working for tobacco companies, or in the Philip Morris research centre, I am sure that they would not be left unemployed if they were to lose their jobs. Therefore, the effect on tobacco businesses should not be an excuse for not placing a total ban on tobacco products.

Citizens should not be left with a misconception that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are less harmful than cigarettes. As these are new products, there are no conclusive long-term studies to back up claims that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to conventional sticks. And no matter what, these “substitute” cigarettes also affect our health.

Recent studies have found that vaping may have fewer carcinogens than cigarette smoke, but can still raise cancer risks by damaging our DNA, leaving e-cigarette users at a higher risk than non-smokers of bladder and lung cancer, and heart disease. Therefore, all tobacco and related products will increase the public health risk.

Ban e-cigarettes, medical experts say after ‘shocking’ rise in child use

Also, consider how much smokers can save if they quit. Assume that smokers buy one pack of 20 cigarettes a day, then each will spend about HK$55 per day on their addiction. That is at least HK$19,580 a year going up in smoke: enough for several holiday trips.

 

So smokers, please don’t be selfish. Quitting is not as difficult as you think. Smoking is not only harming your health but also that of those around you. It’s time to kick the habit.

 

Cherry Chan, Po Lam

 

I Say: This Easter, I am looking forward to...

 

•  Spending time with friends

 

I am looking forward to hanging out with my friends and hiking the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail in Fanling.

Dennis Chow, 15, King Ling College
 

Adopt ‘universal’ urban design for Hong Kong, so that disability does not hold anyone back

•  Helping the less-able find work is great, but urban and building designs can often make it difficult even to run errands

 

I am writing to express my views on the article, “
The NGO helping Hongkongers with disabilities fight prejudice and break into the workforce ” (March 30), on the barriers that the physically less-able face when seeking jobs in Hong Kong. The thoughtful approach of NGOs such as CareER, as highlighted in the article, has certainly greatly benefited such citizens, yet, I believe more must be done to support their integration into society.

Although helping the disabled find jobs of a higher skill level is essential, their struggles while completing daily tasks should not be ignored. I remember how in 2017, people were challenged to take photos inside Wan Chai Computer Centre in a wheelchair, among different tasks set by the Arts with the Disabled Association and WYNG Media Award Masters to highlight the
everyday obstacles faced by the disabled.

Though seemingly simple, many challengers found the task difficult to complete. They had to search for obscure wheelchair paths or go up long ramps to reach a lift, making the experience very frustrating. The challenge highlighted the troubles wheelchair-users or the visually impaired face daily, which may discourage them from venturing out at all.

In my opinion, the government should work harder to introduce “universal designs” – features that make all facilities usable by most people to the fullest extent possible without spatial adaptation. This would further facilitate the disabled in being more independent, therefore enhancing their quality of life.

Trisha Tobar, Tseung Kwan O
 

Go beyond e-cigarette ban: raise tobacco taxes further to truly protect public health

• Hong Kong can look to the UK, which regularly raises taxes on tobacco products to keep up with inflation

 

I am writing in response to the debate over the tobacco control policy in Hong Kong (“Why Hong Kong must keep e-cigarettes out of the reach of adolescents”, April 15). I strongly agree with the proposed total ban on e-cigarettes in the interest of public health.

However, while a total ban on e-cigarettes could help to reduce the number of vapers in Hong Kong, and act as a deterrent for those who want to try similar new tobacco products, especially teenagers, it would do nothing to reduce the number of smokers who prefer conventional tobacco cigarettes.

Therefore, although the e-cigarette ban is better than nothing, I believe the government should put more efforts into reducing the number of smokers overall, so as to deal with the risks to public health posed by tobacco use, as well as its impact on second-hand smokers.

The government should introduce a policy of incremental taxation on the purchase of cigarettes every year. Taxation introduced in previous years has obviously not worked as a strong enough deterrent, as cigarettes smokers are still lighting up. The government should follow the example of Britain where taxes on tobacco products are increased by 2 per cent above inflation. The cost of a pack of cigarettes is 80-90 per cent tax, higher than the World Health Organisation’s suggested taxation of 70 per cent. Along with publicising concerns about vaping, the Hong Kong government should put the control of conventional cigarettes under the spotlight as well to decrease public health risks.

Joyce Tsang, Tseung Kwan O
 

Hong Kong doctors need to put the needs of patients first, not their own

Restrictions on overseas doctors may help domestic job seekers but the number of physicians clearly needs to go up

 

I am writing in response to the article, “Bitter pill for medical sector: Hong Kong needs 11,000 more doctors to meet global standard, local think tank says” (April 10).
The statement from the high-profile Our Hong Kong Foundation think tank, founded by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, has again thrown the spotlight on the city’s struggling public health services and the need to align them with international standards. This also relates to the recent debate over recruiting foreign medical staff, with the Medical Council vetoing such a plan just last week.

With this year’s winter peak flu season claiming more than 350 lives, including that of a child, the urgent need to tackle the shortage cannot be overstated, especially in view of our ageing population. As your report pointed out, to meet Singapore’s standard, we would need 3,376 more doctors, and to equal Germany, we would need more than 30,000.

 

The issue of whether Hong Kong should allow foreign doctors to work in the city has generated a lot of controversy. Patients have long been complaining about hours of queuing to see a doctor, while both patients and medical staff have flagged the overcrowding problem in public hospitals. However, when there is a suggestion to make it easier for foreign doctors or nurses to work in Hong Kong, many people say that it will reduce the chances for Hong Kong graduates to find jobs in the medical sector. This is a real conundrum.

Regarding doctors, they are clearly under too much pressure, both due to the administrative workload and patient volume. Having more people to share their duties would surely ease work conditions. It does not matter whether this is achieved through allowing overseas doctors to practice here or by simply increasing the local supply.

 

Hongkongers should have a clear mind on what would most benefit citizens. Stakeholders in the medical sector should put the needs of the people first instead of being selfish and considering only their own interests.

 

Kris Wong, Tiu Keng Leng