Secretary Bernadette Linn Visits Beijing to Strengthen Cooperation in Heritage and Construction Sectors

SDEV begins visit to Beijing

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, began her visit to Beijing today (July 23). She called on the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

In the morning, Ms Linn called on Deputy Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Mr Qiao Yunfei, to exchange views on areas such as organising artefact exhibitions, youth exchange activities, talent training, research on antiquities, nominations for World Heritage status, and application of technology in heritage conservation. Ms Linn once again thanked the National Cultural Heritage Administration for its strong support on the "Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration and Openness" exhibition, which opened in Hong Kong last month. This is the sixth artefact exhibition in collaboration with the Mainland, with the largest scale and profile ever, since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Heritage Architecture and Archaeology between both parties in 2022.

Ms Linn then called on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and briefed the team of the Ministry led by Vice Minister Mr Qin Haixiang on the latest development in Hong Kong's construction sector. Both parties exchanged views on the application of technologies to reduce construction cost and enhance productivity, promoting the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Construction Standards, leveraging the competitive edges of Hong Kong's certification system and a high degree of internationalism to develop Modular Integrated Construction and other innovative construction technologies and products into a representative industry, as well as rehabilitation and redevelopment of old buildings. Afterwards, Ms Linn and the delegation had lunch with Minister Mr Ni Hong, and exchanged experiences on construction and urban development in both places.

In the afternoon, Ms Linn met with Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Mr Yu Jiadong, to exchange views on advancing the talent development in construction industry, including integrating Hong Kong's construction professionals into the Mainland's "Professional Title" evaluation mechanism, mutual recognition of various professional qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong, formulating the GBA skill standards and implementing the "One Examination, Multiple Certification" arrangement for skilled technicians and workers in the construction sector.

Ms Linn thanked the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security for their strong support of the long-term development of Hong Kong's construction industry. She said that the construction industry is one of the priority industries in Hong Kong and expressed the hope that the construction and engineering sectors of the Mainland and Hong Kong will deepen their exchange and co-operation to jointly promote the high-quality development of the construction industry in the GBA, and developing Hong Kong into an international infrastructure centre.

Afterwards, Ms Linn joined the study tour on national water infrastructure, culture and technology, which was visiting Beijing, to tour the Tuancheng Lake Regulating Pond, the terminal of middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. She also had dinner with members of the study tour and listened to the sharing of students.

Ms Linn will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (July 24).

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SDEV begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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