DGCA attends Asia-Pacific aviation heads conference in Japan
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Mr Victor Liu, led a Civil Aviation Department (CAD) delegation to attend the 60th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in Sendai, Japan.
The theme for this year's Conference was "The sustainable skies of the Asia-Pacific region: towards increased economic prosperity and social well-being by air transportation of people and goods in the region". The five-day Conference, with over 350 participants from 47 member states, administrations and international organisations, concluded on a high note today (August 1). Discussion and information papers covering a wide range of subjects, including aviation safety, air navigation, aviation security, aviation and the environment, aviation technologies, as well as regional co-operation were submitted by aviation authorities and industry organisations to the Conference.
Among the three papers submitted to the Conference by the CAD, one of them was themed "Development of Low-Altitude Economy" to share Hong Kong's efforts of leveraging advanced air mobility technologies to develop the low-altitude economy in Hong Kong while safeguarding aviation and public safety. The other two papers presented the CAD's experiences in upholding aviation safety and aviation security requirements for sustainable air cargo operations, and discussed the collaborative achievements in the commissioning of the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the aerodrome remained unaffected throughout the project. The papers received recognition and support from delegates.
During their stay in Sendai, the CAD delegation attended side meetings with representatives from different aviation authorities and industry organisations such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association. Views on matters of mutual interest were shared, and ways to strengthen co-operation were explored with the aim of facilitating aviation developments.
The CAD will continue to maintain close co-operation with its aviation partners and continue to support the ICAO's global aviation development initiatives.
DGCA attends Asia-Pacific aviation heads conference in Japan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DGCA attends Asia-Pacific aviation heads conference in Japan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DGCA attends Asia-Pacific aviation heads conference in Japan 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
