In connection with a murder and wounding case happened in Yuen Long on January 22, Police arrested two more men, aged 23 and 26, in Tin Shui Wai for murder and wounding yesterday (January 23).     In the murder and wounding case, a 24-ye… read more
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight”, joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” and “Windsand”, and joint operations with the Labour Department to combat illegal employment activities at Lunar New Year fairs for four consecutive days from January 20 to yesterday (January 24). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided eight targeted locations including residential buildings, restaurants and retail shops. Four suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and three women, aged 39 to 52. Among them, one woman was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. One man and one woman, aged 53 and 59, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested.
During operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided 15 target locations in Central district. Four suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four women, aged 36 to 42. One man, aged 54, was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
Furthermore, during the anti-illegal worker operations at various Lunar New Year fairs, enforcement officers raided several stalls at events. Two suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two women, aged 30 and 34. One woman, aged 37, was suspected of employing the illegal workers. One woman, aged 35, who was suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached the condition of stay in Hong Kong was also arrested. Apart from mounting enforcement operations, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers” leaflets and convey the message to stall owners.
An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
The spokesman warned, “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 by employing 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 ImmD 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 or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
　　Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate the public to celebrate the festive season. Hong Kong Island —————- The following arrangements will be implemented by … read more
​The Transport Department (TD) today (January 24) reminded members of the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in various districts on Lunar New Year’s Eve (January 28) to facilitate the holiday celebration activities.
Special traffic arrangements
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from January 28 in various places, including Hong Kong Island (including the vicinities of Causeway Bay, Tin Hau near Victoria Park), Kowloon (including the vicinities of Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kwun Tong Recreation Ground and Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden) and the New Territories (including the vicinities of Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Shek Wu Hui in Sheung Shui, Tin Hau Temple Plaza in Tuen Mun and Yuen Wo Playground in Sha Tin). Some parking spaces, taxi stands and public light bus stops located in the above areas will be suspended.
Public transport service arrangements
Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Lok Ma Chau and Shenzhen Bay Boundary Control Point from January 25 to February 2, to facilitate members of the public and tourists. Depending on… read more