CE meets Minister of Education
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Minister of Education, Mr Huai Jinpeng, at Government House today (August 13) to exchange views on deepening collaboration in education and scientific research between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Huai and his delegation to Hong Kong to attend the Hong Kong and Macao regional contest of the China International College Students' Innovation Competition and other education-related activities. Mr Lee said that the Ministry of Education has provided strong support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's enhancement of education measures to develop Hong Kong into an international education hub and an international hub for high-calibre talent. Hong Kong is the only city with five universities in the world's top 100, and the HKSAR Government is taking forward a series of initiativesto promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand while vigorously advancing collaboration in higher education between the Mainland and Hong Kong to support the national strategies of invigorating the country through science and education, strengthening the nation with talent, and driving development through innovation.
Mr Lee said the Northern Metropolis is the key engine for Hong Kong's future development, and the HKSAR Government is advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town. It encourages local top universities to introduce more innovative, cutting-edge and high-level branded programmes, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner to nurture talent and further boost Hong Kong's global academic research influence.
In scientific research, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government is actively promoting digital education and the construction of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone with enhanced speed and efficiency.He welcomed more Mainland higher education institutions and research institutes to set up laboratories or research centres to leverage the Hong Kong Park's unique advantages for exploring more global research collaboration and jointly strengthening co-operation among the industry, academia and research sectors to contribute to the high-quality development of the country.
CE meets Minister of Education 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
