CAD engages in air traffic management technology trials with regional partners
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, visited the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) Innovation Lab and was updated on Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE), Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO), as well as the latest developments of regional air traffic management projects today (August 7). He also took this opportunity to commend the CAD team on their successful participation in the inaugural Asia-Pacific Regional Laboratory Demonstration of TBO held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from July 22 to 24.
TBO is an advanced air traffic management (ATM) approach being promoted globally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in line with the Global Air Navigation Plan to optimise flight operations and enhance trajectory management. Through System Wide Information Management, FF-ICE forms the foundation for TBO, enabling richer and more collaborative information such as flight trajectories, weather, airport operations and air traffic flow management information to be shared among airspace users and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) under the platform. This collaborative approach can help to optimise flight paths, thus effectively reducing flight time, fuel consumption and carbon emissions, making ATM and flight operations more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Since 2023, the CAD has been working closely with other ANSPs in the Asia-Pacific region on trial information exchanges for TBO. During the laboratory demonstration held in Hanoi, the CAD successfully showcased its FF-ICE prototype system developed in-house to the regional ANSPs, demonstrating the CAD's technological innovation and pioneer position in the field of future ATM development.
Mr Liu commended the team's dedication and encouraged them to continue to embrace and effectively apply new technologies and actively participate in regional collaboration. The CAD will continue to work closely with the ICAO and other ANSPs to further enhance ATM efficiency to accommodate future air traffic demand and growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
CAD engages in air traffic management technology trials with regional partners 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
