Hongkong Post announced today (October 22) the release of a set of special stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge", together with associated philatelic products, on October 30 (Tuesday). &nb… read more
Three illegal workers comprising two Indonesians and a Pakistani were jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on October 19.
During operation “Twilight” on July 3, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Yuen Long. Two female Indonesian illegal workers, aged 34 and 43, were arrested. When intercepted they were working as odd-job workers. Upon identity checking, they produced for inspection recognisance forms issued by the ImmD, which prohibit them from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that they were non-refoulement claimants. An employer suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested and the legal proceedings are ongoing.
In addition, ImmD investigators received a referral from the Hong Kong Police Force to further investigate an illegal employment case in September. Enforcement officers arrested a male Pakistani worker, aged 32, conveying goods in Kowloon Bay. Upon identity checking, he was found to be a holder of a recognisance form issued by ImmD, which prohibits him from taking employment, and further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
The three illegal workers were charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on October 19 with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. After trial, the two Indonesian illegal workers were sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while the Pakistani illegal worker pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases.
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase, and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments.
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​The Government today (October 22) announced appointments by the Chief Executive to the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) for a two-year term from October 23, 2018 to October 22, 2020. … read more
The Buildings Department approved 23 building plans in August, with six on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and 12 in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, 11 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, eight were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial developments, and three were for community services developments.
In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 14 building projects which, when completed, will provide 79 934 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 1 017 units, and 93 433 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of works for eight building projects.
The department also issued 23 occupation permits, with ten on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.
Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 117 894 sq m involving 2 414 units, and 104 003 sq m was for non-domestic use.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in August totalled about $7.2 billion.
In addition, five demolition consents involving five building structures were issued.
The department received 2 863 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in August and issued 1 155 removal orders on UBWs.
The full version of the Monthly Digest for August can be viewed on the Buildings Department’s homepage (www.bd.gov.hk). read more
In support of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present a free screening of “Emperor Zhengde’s Night Visit to the Dragon and Phoenix Inn” (1958) at Piazza C of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at 7pm on October 27 (Saturday). The film stars Yam Kim-fai, Lai Yee, Fung Wong Nui, Chan Kam-tong, Tam Lan-hing, Lee Hoi-chuen and Yam Bing-yee.
“Emperor Zhengde’s Night Visit to the Dragon and Phoenix Inn”, one of the treasures in the HKFA’s collection, is the first film with the digital reconstruction and restoration procedures completed solely by the HKFA. The original colour negatives, a black-and-white print and other materials were transferred to the HKFA by descendants of Lee Gee-hing of Man Li Film Company in 1994. Since parts of the original colour negatives and the soundtrack were damaged, the film cannot be screened in its original colour version.
With advanced technology the HKFA conservators digitised the soundtracks of the black-and-white print and some edited-out film before synchronising the audio with the colour visuals from the negatives. In this colour version, the picture and sound quality were improved with digital restoration techniques. The HKFA made the effort to restore the movie’s original appearance from 60 years ago in order to share its achievements in film conservation and restoration through the screening.
“Emperor Zhengde’s Night Visit to the Dragon and Phoenix Inn” is an opera film adapted by famed writer-director Wong Hok-sing from a folk tale. When travelling in disguise, Emperor Zhengde (played by Yam Kim-fai) falls in love with Phoenix (played by Lai Yee) at the Dragon and Phoenix Inn. The Empress (played by Fung Wong Nui) becomes jealous and attempts to hurt Phoenix.
The film was shot in Eastmancolor, which was new in Hong Kong at that time. The process was fully utilised by producer, cinematographer and colour technique consultant Chiu Shu-sun to make the movie colourful and eye-catching.
The film is in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles.
Admission is free and will start at 6.15pm. Limited space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating mats. For programme enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en_US/web/hkfa/programmesandexhibitions/2018unesco/index.html.
In 2005, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated October 27 of every year as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. It promotes awareness of the importance of preserving audio-visual documents from the past, which play an integral role in recording local and regional cultures.
