Third AMRO-HKMA-ADBI-SEACEN Financial Leadership Training Program held in Hong Kong
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), and The South East Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Research and Training Centre (Centre), hosted the third Financial Leadership Training Program (Program) in Hong Kong from August 19 to 22. Building upon the success of the event in the last two years, this year's Program welcomed over 40 senior representatives from central banks, ministries of finance, and related government agencies in the ASEAN+3 and SEACEN member economies as well as international organisations.
The Program aimed at enhancing participants' capabilities in safeguarding regional macroeconomic and financial stability, and providing a platform for attendees to engage in wide-ranging discussions on issues pertinent to the region, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their professional knowledge. During the Program, participants exchanged views with industry leaders, regulators and academia representatives on topical issues including local currency usage, carbon markets and disaster risk insurance, as well as fintech, artificial intelligence and financial digitalisation.
Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Darryl Chan,said, "The success of this year's Program underscores the deepening collaboration among our regional economies and institutions. By equipping senior public sector officials with skills and insights on pressing economic and financial issues, we are not only strengthening individual capacity, but also building collective resilience across Asia."
About AMRO
AMRO is an international organisation that aims to contribute to the macroeconomic and financial resilience and stability in the ASEAN+3 region.
About ADBI
ADBI is a Tokyo-based think tank of the Asian Development Bank, providing policy research, capacity building, training, and outreach to assist developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
About The SEACEN Centre
The SEACEN Centre has established its unique regional position in serving its membership of central banks in the Asia-Pacific region through its learning programmes, research work, and networking and collaboration platforms for capability building in central banking knowledge.
Third AMRO-HKMA-ADBI-SEACEN Financial Leadership Training Program held in Hong Kong 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
