Offer To The CEO

Monday, continued ...

Hou Yi stepped up to the microphone, to commence making his statement, with Anna standing beside him

"Good Morning, members of the press, and welcome. This press conference is called to address the matters that have sprung up on the internet in the last 24 hours, and enraged citizens not only here in City T but throughout this whole country. Both are designed, not to hurt and damage Hou Enterprises, as we always comply with the law wherever we operate, taking into account our obligations as a corporate citizen here, but to deliberately target my wife and I."

"Firstly to address the allegations about Hou Enterprises being a poor corporate citizen, and the calls to liquidate us. As members of the press fully well know, we have initiated a fundraising drive for services to assist victims of intimate partner violence. On Sunday, Vice-CEO and Madam Lu announced their own fundraising program for children's services throughout this country, and had secured multi million in donations from all large and medium corporations in this city."

"We do not know why Vice-CEO Lu and Madam Lu made no contact with Hou Enterprises about a donation to their efforts. While we wold love to be in a position in the world to say such services as that will be assisted by the fundraising program initiated by Vice-CEO and Madam Lu, would never be needed, as like those funded by my wife and my initiative that will never be the case. We also note that both initiative have some overlapping areas, when dealing with children exposed to violence between their parents or become hurt because of it as a means to control a parent."

"However, Hou Enterprises, as a corporation is willing to provide a donation of 1.2 times the donation Lu Enterprises makes to our initiative on domestic violence made within the next fortnight. Personally, my wife and I will also be making a 10 million donation, and we will also match the donations made by staff in this building today and tomorrow to this project. Hou Enterprises will also be matching the donations from staff dollar for dollar. And before anyone asks, an email has been sent to all staff to advise of this, as this press conference is occurring."

"Secondly, there is the allegation about us using foreign trained legal staff permanently. Until last week, we would on an as needed basis have legal staff working in Hou Enterprises headquarters to deal with specific matters relating on projects we were involved with in their countries. They would be working with local staff, and together they would ensure legal requirements here and in that country were complied with. They remained under the control of their employers in the other country, and had the appropriate visa to do such work. We only pay their wages and associated professional costs while they are here."

"These legal staff have always been temporary, and they stay no longer than three months in country. While that worker is here, a lawyer from out legal department is working in that country in the legal firm the person working here has come from. This enables out legal staff to obtain exposure to different legal environments and expand their skills."

"As I said, there has been a minor change in the last week. My wife is Australian by birth. She holds a Commerce/Law Degree and is a qualified Legal Practitioner. She graduated from University when only 20 years of age, having completed a five-year degree in only four years. This degree was a first Class Honours Degree, and she was awarded the prize for the top legal graduate in her year. She was given offers to become a legal academic but opted to become a lawyer."

"The firm that she works for in Australia, just happens to be the legal firm Hou Enterprises uses in Australia for its legal work. Last week, an agreement was reached with her employers, that she will continue to work, part time for them, assisting with legal work relating to Hou Enterprises, but also doing a other work for them remotely. It is anticipated that most of her work while here will be work done remotely for them, rather than work for Hou Enterprises."

"My wife has already made contact with the authorities here to determine what she much do to become a qualified lawyer here as well. Once she completes that qualification, her work within Hou Enterprises will be split between her work for us, and the work that she does keeping her qualifications and skills in Australia as well."

"It should be noted, my wife has moved almost a third of the world away from her family and her life. It should not be surprising with someone as skilled as her, that I do not want to force her to give up her career at this time. All we have done is found another way for her to continue it."

"As to the specific allegation, save and except for my wife, whose position was specifically created for her, is it not now, now will it ever be Hou Enterprises intention to solely employ foreign workers in this country. We always, wherever we operate and whenever possible seek to employ local staff. It is only when we cannot recruit locally, do we seek to hire internationally."

"Is there any questions?"

Reported with the number 1 stepped up, and asked "CEO Hou and Madam Hou, information came from multiple sources about an incident at the pre-dinner drinks for Friday night's fundraiser between you and Vice-CEO and Madam Lu. Can you please explain why this occurred and how this is not connected to your failure to donate to their children's services fundraising organisation?"