Police today (June 23) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tai Po. Wong Tat-lun, aged 38, went missing after he left his residence in Kwong Fuk Estate on Jun… read more
A Pakistani illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (June 22).
During the operation “Breakthrough” conducted on May 18, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a meat shop in Sai Wan Ho. A male Pakistani illegal worker, aged 36, was arrested while working as an odd-job worker. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.
The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday 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. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 16 months and 26 days’ 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 Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
Result of the tenders of the People’s Bank of China RMB Bills held on June 23, 2020:
| Tender Result | ||
| ********************************************************************* | ||
| Tender Date | : | June 23, 2020 |
| Bills available for Tender | : | Six-month RMB Bills |
| Issuer |
: |
The People’s Bank of China |
| Issue Number | : | BCHKFP20013 |
| Issue Date | : | June 29, 2020 |
| Maturity Date | : | December 28, 2020 (or the closest coupon payment date) |
| Application Amount | : | RMB 34,158 million |
| Issue Amount | : | RMB 10,000 million |
| Average accepted Coupon Rate | : | 2.01% |
| Highest accepted Coupon Rate | ||
| (Bills’ Coupon) | : | 2.21% |
| Lowest accepted Coupon Rate | : | 1.50% |
| Allocation Ratio | : | Approximately 19.67% |
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 23) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.
“The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.
“The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.
The public should adopt the following precautions:
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:  … read more