Tag Archives: China

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has mailed poll cards to around 8 700 registered electors of the Kai Hiu Constituency to remind them to vote in the Eastern District Council by-election on June 10.
 
     “Electors of the Kai Hiu Constituency can log in to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System (www.voterinfo.gov.hk) if they have not yet received their poll cards to check whether they are registered electors of the constituency and their designated polling station. They can also call the election hotline 2891 1001 for enquiries,” a spokesman for the REO said today (May 28).
 
     “Electors are advised to read carefully the address of the designated polling station on their poll cards indicating where they should cast their votes,” he said.
 
     Together with the poll cards, the REO has sent to every elector of the Kai Hiu Constituency a map showing the location of the designated polling station, a Guide on Voting Procedure, an Introduction to Candidates and a leaflet from the Independent Commission Against Corruption on clean elections.
 
     Two polling stations will be open to electors from 7.30am to 10.30pm on the polling day. They are located at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong-Chai Wan Centre, Units 1-10, G/F, Sui Lok House, Siu Sai Wan Estate, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, and Siu Sai Wan Community Hall, G/F, Siu Sai Wan Complex, 15 Siu Sai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
 
     If any electors of the Kai Hiu Constituency who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies other than the Correctional Services Department (CSD) on the polling day wish to vote in this by-election, they will be arranged to cast their votes at the dedicated polling station located at Chai Wan Police Station, 6 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. The polling hours will be from 7.30am to 10.30pm.
 
     Should there be any electors of the Kai Hiu Constituency imprisoned or remanded in the CSD’s custody on the polling day, arrangements will be made for them to vote at dedicated polling stations set up at their respective penal institutions. For security reasons, polling hours for the dedicated polling stations at penal institutions will be from 9am to 4pm.
 
     The voting procedure for electors and the venue setup at the dedicated polling stations will be basically the same as those of the ordinary polling stations.
 
     The three candidates contesting this by-election are Tan Chun Chun Enki (No. 1), Ishigami Lee Fung-king Alice (No. 2) and Chik Kit-ling Elaine (No. 3). read more

     The Labour Department (LD) announced today (May 28) that another round of registration for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under the Hong Kong/United Kingdom (UK) Working Holiday Scheme would commence on July 3. Youths holding a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport and interested in participating in the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) may submit their registrations for the CoS to the LD from July 3 to July 16 this year (both dates inclusive), before applying for a Tier 5 (YMS) visa with the UK from this year’s remaining quota.

     According to the arrangement agreed between Hong Kong and the UK, youths from Hong Kong can apply for a Tier 5 (YMS) visa allowing them to stay in the UK for up to two years, during which they can engage in short-term employment to finance their stay, privately-funded studies and/or voluntary work of choice. The annual quota is 1 000 for HKSAR passport holders.

     Applicants for the CoS have to meet the following eligibility criteria:
 

• The applicant must be a holder of a valid HKSAR passport;
• The applicant must be aged between 18 and 30 on the day the visa application is made; and
• The applicant must not have previously spent time in the UK as a “Working Holidaymaker” or a YMS temporary migrant.

     Applicants who wish to obtain a CoS can download the relevant registration form online (www.whs.gov.hk/res/pdf/UK_regform.pdf) and submit the completed registration form together with the required supporting documents to LD during the registration period. Registrations submitted outside the registration period will not be processed.

     Holders of British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport do not need to apply for CoS and can submit their applications for Tier 5 (YMS) visa direct to the UK Visa Application Centre in Hong Kong.

     For details on obtaining a CoS, please refer to LD’s website: www.whs.gov.hk/en/partners.php?location=UK#cos. Please also visit www.whs.gov.hk for details relating to the Working Holiday Scheme. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 28) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From May 20 to 26, two community-acquired LD cases were reported.
 
     The first male patient, aged 59, lives in Sau Yee House, Sau Mau Ping Estate, Kwun Tong District, while the second male patient, aged 90 with underlying illness, lived in Block 5, City One Shatin, 10 Tak Kei Street, Sha Tin District, and has passed away.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of May 26, 19 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
  
  The public should observe the health advice below:
   
• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol;
• Remove strainers in water taps and shower heads quarterly for cleaning;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and they need to be changed periodically;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2-µm filters. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
4. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on “Sha Tin Section of Route 8” (Chapter 8) of the Director of Audit’s Report No.70 at 9am tomorrow (May 29) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.

     Thirteen witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.

     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: May 29 (Tuesday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 1

Subject: Sha Tin Section of Route 8 (Chapter 8 of the Director of Audit’s Report No.70)

Witnesses:

Secretary for Transport and Housing
Mr Frank Chan Fan

Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport) 2
Mr Tony Li

Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport) 5
Ms Judy Chung

Under Secretary for Development
Mr Liu Chun-san

Director of Highways
Mr Daniel Chung

Project Manager/Major Works, Highways Department
Mr Kelvin Lo

Director of Civil Engineering and Development
Mr Lam Sai-hung

Project Manager, North Development Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department
Mr Wong Wai-man

Commissioner for Transport
Ms Mable Chan

Assistant Commissioner/Management and Paratransit, Transport Department
Ms Stella Lee

Director of Architectural Services
Mrs Sylvia Lam

Assistant Director (Property Services), Architectural Services Department
Mr Hui Chiu-kin

Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services
Mr Alfred Sit

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung.  Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan. read more

     Five illegal workers comprising three Vietnamese and two Indians, were jailed at Shatin and Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on May 25 and 26 respectively.
 
     During a joint operation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow” on May 23, ImmD investigators raided a restaurant in Sheung Shui. One female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 39, was arrested. When intercepted, she was found washing dishes. 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. In addition, she was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged identity card. One employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
 
     Moreover, during operation “Twilight” conducted on May 23, ImmD investigators raided a restaurant in Causeway Bay. A male Vietnamese illegal worker and a female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 27 and 29 respectively, were arrested. When intercepted, they were performing kitchen work. Upon identity checking, the male 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 female was found to be an illegal immigrant. Meanwhile, an employer suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
 
     In addition, ImmD investigators received a referral from the Hong Kong Police Force to further investigate an illegal employment case in May. Enforcement officers arrested two male Indian workers, aged 39 and 25 respectively, disposing construction waste in San Po Kong. 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. 
 
     The five illegal workers were charged at Shatin and Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on May 25 and 26 respectively 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. They pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 months to 17 months. In addition, one of them was also charged with using a forged Hong Kong identity card and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. All sentences are to run concurrently, making a total of 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 also warned that it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or an identity card relating to other person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
 
     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. read more