SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued his visit to Sydney, Australia, today (August 14) to promote Hong Kong's advantages as an international trade centre and a premier destination for business and investment.
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SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Mr Yau first met with the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Minister for Building, and the Minister for Corrections of New South Wales of Australia, Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, to exchange views on enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Australia in various areas. Mr Yau also gave him an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and policy measures to give impetus to the city's economy, such as the reduction in liquor duty and promotion of the silver economy.
Mr Yau then met with the National President of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), Mr David Olsson, to brief him on the direction of Hong Kong's economic development and new initiatives to promote trade, such as developing the city into a multinational supply chain management centre. They also had an exchange on enhancing business and investment collaboration between Hong Kong and Australia.
Mr Yau also attended a business roundtable luncheon with ACBC members to brief them on Hong Kong's role as a springboard for Australian businesses looking to tap into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the broader Asian markets. He said that with its world-class infrastructure, simple and low tax regime and common law system, Hong Kong provides a stable, efficient and business-friendly environment for companies seeking to grow beyond their borders, capitalising on the city's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".
In addition, Mr Yau toured a leading incubator for start-ups and met with some start-up operators to learn more about their operation and developments. He told them that the number of start-ups in Hong Kong reached a record high of approximately 4 700 in 2024, underlining Hong Kong's vibrant start-up ecosystem and its ideal business environment for innovators to thrive.
In the evening, Mr Yau attended a cultural exchange concert presented by young Hong Kong musicians to showcase a mix of Eastern and Western musical works and instruments, highlighting Hong Kong's unique role as a bridge between East and West.
Mr Yau will continue his visit to Sydney tomorrow (August 15).
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED continues visit to Sydney, Australia 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
