Government announces appointments to Travel Industry Authority
The Government announced today (January 17) that the Chief Executive has appointed Dr Louisa Lee Yee-sum, Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, Mr Ng Hi-on and Mr Ricky Tse Kam-shan as members of the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) from January 17 to December 31, 2025.
Dr Lee is an associate professor of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, while Mr Tam, Mr Ng and Mr Tse are the new chairperson and the two deputy chairpersons of the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong respectively.
A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said, "The Government welcomes the four members joining the TIA to render valuable advice to the TIA on the licensing and regulation of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts as well as promoting the high-quality development of the industry. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr Barry Mak Lui-ming and Ms Gianna Wong Mei-kiu for their dedicated service during their tenure."
The TIA is a statutory regulatory body of the travel industry established under the Travel Industry Ordinance. It is primarily responsible for the licensing and regulation of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts.
The membership of the TIA from January 17, 2025, is as follows:
Chairperson
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Mr Ma Ho-fai
Vice Chairperson
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Commissioner for Tourism
Ordinary Members
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Trade members
Mr Kenneth King Yue-kin
Ms Lanny Leung Kong-lan
Mr Paul Leung Yiu-lam
Mr Roy Lo Kai-pong
Mr Martin Ma Yuk-man
Mr Ng Hi-on
Dr Priscilla Poon Chau-min
Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun
Mrs Ann Tang Yu Li-hua
Mr Ricky Tse Kam-shan
Mr Tse Yun-sang
Mr Wong Ka-ngai
Mr Yiu Pak-leung
Non-trade members
Mr Leonard Chan Tik-yuen
Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung
Ms Kerry Ching Kim-wai
Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan
Professor Alex Fan Hoi-kit
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung
Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay
Dr Louisa Lee Yee-sum
Mr Johnny Leung Ka-kui
Mr James Tong Wai-pong
Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui
Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man
Ms Annie Wong Pak-yan
Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang
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
