The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, July 13, 2020 is 106.9 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, July 11, 2020 was 107 (down 0.2 against last Friday’s index). read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (July 13) announced that confirmation was received from the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) earlier on the appro… read more
An Indonesian illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on July 11.
During operation “Twilight” conducted on July 8, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a bar in Central. A female Indonesian illegal worker, aged 40, was arrested while working as a cleaning worker. Upon identity checking, she produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits her from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that she was a non-refoulement claimant. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was also arrested and an investigation is ongoing.
The illegal worker was charged at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on July 11 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. She 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 an initial screening on 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 threats 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 intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary: The Judiciary has recently been receiving a large number of complaints against the same judge or judicial officer in relation to various judicial decisions and court cases,… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender notice:
| Tender date | : | July 15 (Wednesday) |
| Tender submission time | : | 9am to noon |
| Settlement date | : | July 16 (Thursday) |
| Repayment date | : | July 23 (Thursday) |
| Tenor | : | 7 Days |
| Amount on offer | : | US$10,000 Million |