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14 Mainland Visitors Arrested in Wong Tai Sin Anti-Illegal Worker Operation

HK

14 Mainland Visitors Arrested in Wong Tai Sin Anti-Illegal Worker Operation
HK

HK

14 Mainland Visitors Arrested in Wong Tai Sin Anti-Illegal Worker Operation

2025-03-25 12:47 Last Updated At:14:28

14 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation at an exhibition in Wong Tai Sin yesterday (March 24). A total of 14 Mainland visitors, who were suspected illegal workers, were arrested.

The ImmD Task Force conducted an operation at a food expo in the district, according to gathered intelligence. During the operation, some target persons were found promoting and selling food and goods. ImmD Task Force officers arrested 14 suspected illegal workers. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and 10 women, aged 31 to 45, all Mainland visitors. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested.

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 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 reminded 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, 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.

14 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

14 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

14 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

14 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Health Bureau and Hospital Authority Brief Public on Healthcare Fees Reform Measures

2025-04-29 18:53 Last Updated At:19:08

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare

The Health Bureau (HHB), together with the Hospital Authority (HA), organised the first District Council (DC) briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare today (April 29) to explain the details of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare, particularly the measures for enhancing patient protection, to over 200 DC members and local community members.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The fees and charges reform for public healthcare aims to enhance healthcare protection for 'poor, acute, serious, critical' patients, rationalise the subsidy levels of public hospital services, and reduce wastage and abuse, while enhancing the sustainability of the public healthcare system. Through this briefing, we hope to elaborate details of the reform to DC members, and leverage the role of DC as a bridge to help members of the public better understand that the reform is pursued for their benefits."

The Deputising Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Simon Tang, highlighted the three key measures for strengthening healthcare protection, namely, enhancing the medical fee waiver mechanism, introducing an annual cap of $10,000 for public healthcare fees and charges, and optimising the application and subsidisation of innovative drugs and medical devices. He said, "The HA will streamline the application procedures for the medical fee waiver and safety net to ensure the smooth implementation of the reform."

Since the announcement of the fees and charges reform for public healthcare, the HHB and the HA have been explaining the reform to the Legislative Council, members of the public, and stakeholders of various sectors, and have produced various information packs, short videos and promotional materials to help the public understand the new healthcare protection measures. In particular, the HA website and the HA mobile app "HA Go" have launched a means test calculator, where users only need to input their information, such as household income and assets, for a preliminary assessment of their eligibility for the enhanced medical fee waiver and the Samaritan Fund.

The new fees and charges for public healthcare will take effect on January 1 next year. The HHB and the HA will organise another DC briefing next week and will continue to actively explain the details to members of the public.

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau and Hospital Authority jointly organise first District Council briefing on fees and charges reform for public healthcare Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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