HKSARG warmly welcomes Central Government's resumption and expansion of multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen
AGovernment spokesman said today (November 29) that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) warmly welcomes and is grateful for the Central Government's support in resuming the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Shenzhen permanent residents and implementing a new arrangement to expand the multiple-entry IVS to Shenzhen residence permit holders on December 1, allowing them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely, further adding new momentum to Hong Kong's tourism, catering, retail, and other industries.
Currently, Shenzhen only allows its permanent residents to visit Hong Kong under a "one trip per week" IVS. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS removes restrictions on the number of visits for IVS holders. Starting from December 1, eligible individuals will be expanded from Shenzhen permanent residents to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits. According to published statistics, the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents will increase the number of Shenzhen residents eligible for the multiple-entry IVS to over 10 million, enabling them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely and experience Hong Kong's diverse and vibrant tourism activities throughout the year, benefitting various tourism-related industries such as retail and catering.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "I wish to express my gratitude towards the Central Government's continuous care and support for Hong Kong, valuing and considering HKSARG's proposals, and continuing to roll out series of new measures benefitting Hong Kong. In my Policy Address, I proposed requesting the Central Government to further enhance arrangements for Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, including the resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents. I thank the relevant ministries of the Central Government for their active research and accelerated processing, enabling these measures to be swiftly implemented within a short period and bringing good news to the HKSARG."
To ensure the smooth implementation of the new arrangements on Sunday, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired an interdepartmental meeting yesterday (November 28) to co-ordinate and instruct various departments to make preparations on all fronts and co-ordinate with each other to ensure the smooth operation of border control points, tourist facilities, and public transportation networks, with a view to providing visitors with a pleasant travel experience.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "The Central Government has been providing support for Hong Kong's economy and tourism development. IVS visitors are significant driving forces for the development of tourism-related industries in Hong Kong. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen permanent residents and the expansion to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits will substantially increase the number of visitors to Hong Kong, further stimulate Hong Kong's tourism, retail, and catering industries, and create new impetus for Hong Kong's economy. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will strengthen publicity about Hong Kong in Shenzhen and launch online platform promotions with a view to attracting more Shenzhen visitors to Hong Kong."
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
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 stressed 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) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour 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 and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour 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 and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
