A Vietnamese illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Fanling Magistrates' Courts on October 13.

     During a joint operation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Sahara" on October 10, enforcement officers raided a salon in Sham Shui Po. One female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 47, was arrested. When intercepted, she was working as a cleaner. 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 investigation is ongoing.

     The illegal worker was charged at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on October 13 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 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 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.

     The air-conditioning maintenance works contractor of Lee Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay, Luen Shing Air-Conditioning Company Limited, used unauthorised powered mechanical equipment to carry out maintenance works at night and failed to comply with the requirements of the construction noise permit (CNP). The contractor was fined $10,000 by Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 15) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
      
     â€‹An Environmental Protection Department spokesman said that the department received a complaint in March this year that the Lee Theatre Plaza was carrying out works at night and causing a noise nuisance. Upon investigation, EPD staff found that the contractor concerned had carried out night-time works using unauthorised powered mechanical equipment (derricking jib) during restricted hours (from 7pm to 7am on the next day), which violated the CNP requirements. The EPD then prosecuted the contractor after evidence gathering.
      
     The spokesman reminded members of the construction sector that they should properly manage and arrange construction work. They must abide by the requirements of the CNP, otherwise it is an offence. Under the NCO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Electoral Affairs Commission today (October 15) released the final Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the Rural Representative Election.
 
     "The 30-day public consultation on the proposed guidelines ended on July 11. The Commission has updated the guidelines after taking into consideration all the views received during the public consultation period," a Commission spokesman said.
 
     "Those who intend to stand for the election are urged to read carefully the guidelines and the relevant electoral legislation, and should strictly abide by them," he said.
 
     The final guidelines can be downloaded from the Commission's website (www.eac.gov.hk). They are also available at the Registration and Electoral Office and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of District Offices.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (October 15) reminded the public that 12 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will continue to provide services on Chung Yeung Festival this Wednesday (October 17). Members of the public requiring medical consultation could make advance booking for an appointment through the telephone system as usual.  
 
     The spokesperson said the accident and emergency (A&E) departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the holiday to serve patients with urgent medical needs. In view of the possible increase in A&E attendances during the holiday, priority treatment would be accorded to patients with critical and emergency conditions as assessed under the established A&E triage system.

     Since the queuing time for semi-urgent and non-urgent patients would likely be longer than usual, the spokesperson appealed to members of the public for their understanding and co-operation while waiting in the A&E Department for consultation. As an alternative, non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultation at general out-patient clinics, clinics of private doctors or 24-hour clinics of private hospitals.

     Members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service. They can also browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of "Primary Care Directory" to help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice.  
 

 
Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

     "A Story of Two Celestials in the Mortal World" is one of the classic repertories of renowned Cantonese virtuosi Fung Wong Nui and So Siu-tong, but has not been staged since the 1970s. Some fifty years later, thanks to Ko Lai, a disciple of Fung Wong Nui, the only known extant script of the play has been recovered. After some editing and adaptation, this revived opera can now be staged again for Cantonese opera lovers.
 
     Inspired by the biographical story of the Tang dynasty Empress, Wu Zetian, "A Story of Two Celestials in the Mortal World" is a Cantonese opera of grand scale with a mythological theme including reimagined historical figures in the setting of the imperial court. The story starts with Lu Gaitian declaring herself as monarch. She falls in love with Li Yi, the second crown prince. Li pretends to work alongside Lu. The Prime Minister, Hu Renzhi, is determined to help Li. Li gets his way, rushes straight to the Royal Palace and Lu is besieged by Li.
 
     This is a Ko Lai Sum Cantonese Opera Troupe production with a strong cast including Lee Lung, Ko Lai, Wan Yuk-yu, Yat Dim-hung, Ho Wai-ling, Mo Huamin and Lam Po-chu.
 
     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "A Story of Two Celestials in the Mortal World" by Ko Lai Sum Cantonese Opera Troupe will be staged at 7.30pm on December 8 (Saturday) at the Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre; and at 7.30pm on December 17 (Monday) at the Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre. Tickets priced from $120 to $320 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk).
 
     For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_629.html.
 
     A pre-performance talk with speakers Ko Lai, Keith Lai and Ng Wing-hei will be held at 7.30pm on November 20 (Tuesday) at Function Room, 4/F, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. A post-performance talk with speakers Lee Lung, Ko Lai, Wan Yuk-yu and Martin Lau will be held at 7.30pm on December 20 (Thursday) at AC1, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.