The Transport Department (TD) today (September 26) alerted members of the public to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the HKeToll. The SMS messages spoofed the name of "HKeToll" and provided hyperlink… read more
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 26) conducted an open lot drawing and computer balloting for applications for new extendable niches at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Eastern District, and the results have been released. Niches were allocated to all 9 703 eligible applicants.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, “For this annual allocation exercise, regardless of whether the option of a niche at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium or Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium, the applicant will be allocated with an extendable niche at the venue. The FEHD conducted drawing of lots and computer balloting today to determine the exact location of the niches to the applicants and the priority of all eligible applications.
“The ballot results have been uploaded to the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) for applicants’ checking by using their application number and identity card number. Applicants can also visit the FEHD’s Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices, Public Niche Allocation Office or call the hotline 2841 9111 to check the results from tomorrow (September 27). The FEHD will also notify the applicants by WhatsApp/SMS and email of the location of the niche allocated. Afterwards, the FEHD will inform the applicants in batches, according to their priorities, through letter/WhatsApp/SMS and email about the detailed arrangements for completing the allocation procedures and making payment.”
The spokesman reminds applicants that the FEHD will not include any hyperlinks related to payment or website when sending messages and emails to notify them. Applicants should check the information and go through the procedures through the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) to deter scammers.
In addition, the public who missed the annual allocation may consider applying for the monthly allocation of niches at Tsang Tsui Columbarium in Tuen Mun. The FEHD also encourages the public to adopt green burials, including scattering of cremated ashes in Gardens of Remembrance or designated waters for supporting environmental sustainability and enduring love. For details, please browse the FEHD green burial thematic website (www.greenburial.gov.hk/en/home/index.html). read more
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, attended the 11th China Air Finance Development (DFTP) Summit in Tianjin today (September 26).
This year’s summit, with the theme “Openness Leads, Multi-dimensions Surge, New Chances for China’s Air Finance”, brings together representatives from various sectors of the aviation industry to exchange views on topics including the opportunities and challenges of China’s air finance, as well as the current status and future trends of international aircraft leasing enterprises.
In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Summit, Mr Lam said that the global aircraft leasing market has changed rapidly in recent years. The Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone is the largest aircraft leasing hub in China and the second largest in the world. The delivery of the domestic C919 aircraft has also brought greater momentum to Dongjiang’s rapid growth. The co-operation between Hong Kong and Dongjiang will provide new driving forces and opportunities for the development of the aircraft leasing industry.
“With the support of our motherland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been leveraging the strengths of its sound legal and banking systems, well-developed and diversified capital markets, excellent aviation infrastructure and talent as well as the city’s proximity to the huge Mainland market to help Mainland enterprises go global while attracting foreign investments. Hong Kong, together with the Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone, will establish closer co-operation to jointly promote the development of the aircraft leasing industry, offering more opportunities and options for airlines around the world and making more contributions to the global air transport industry,” Mr Lam said.
Mr Lam then met with representatives of the Administrative Commission of the Tianjin Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone and aircraft leasing and financing companies to introduce Hong Kong’s advantages in the aviation industry, including the latest developments in aircraft leasing policies and the preferential tax regime.
​Mr Lam concluded his two-day visit to Beijing and Tianjin and will return to Hong Kong this evening.
An Indian illegal worker, holding a recognisance form, was jailed by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (September 25).
During a joint operation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Powerplayer” on July 16, investigators raided the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market. An Indian man, aged 35, was arrested while conveying fish. Upon identity checking, he produced a recognisance form issued by the ImmD for inspection, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.
The illegal worker was charged at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. After trial, he was sentenced to 22 months and two weeks’ imprisonment.
The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is 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 spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. 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. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law and employ illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an 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 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 immediately. read more
The reconstruction of the Tai Po Kau Tide Gauge Station of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has completed. The station began official operation in September 2024 to monitor the tide levels in Tolo Harbour. The station before reconstr… read more