STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, met the Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal Government, Mr Lyu Chengxi, today (August 27) to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Dongguan in transport and logistics and other areas. Also attending the meeting were the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Kevin Choi, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mrs Vivian Cheung.
Ms Chan said that with close geographical and cultural ties, Hong Kong and Dongguan have been working together seamlessly in transport and logistics. The AAHK and Dongguan have been jointly promoting the innovative development of sea-air intermodal cargo transshipments between the two places, with the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Dongguan Logistics Park being one of the key initiatives to leverage the complementary advantages of the cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The first-phase construction of the logistics park permanent facility is expected to be completed this year, with the entire Phase 1 development targeted for full operation by 2027. The AAHK will commence the preliminary study of the Phase 2 development shortly, enabling HKIA to provide solid support for import and export cargo demand as well as the development of cross-border e-commerce in the GBA and across the country.
She added that Hong Kong serves as the GBA's gateway for the import and export of goods. The Transport and Logistics Bureau attaches great importance to co-operation with the GBA and promotes the logistics development strategy of "strengthening collaboration with the GBA and grasping new development opportunities" on various fronts. By deepening synergistic logistics development with the GBA and advancing intermodal transport, as well as exploring the feasibility of extending the arrangements under the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme, Hong Kong is proactively integrating into the national development and facilitating the interconnection of cargo flows in the GBA. The Port Community System, to be completed by the end of this year, will connect with local, Mainland and overseas ports and global shipping business data platforms. The system provides round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking, integrating sea, land, and air transport data, and offering value-added electronic services such as the "One-Data-Multiple-Declarations" function, thereby enhancing collaboration among ports on the Mainland and overseas.
Ms Chan said, "Dongguan is a world-renowned manufacturing base, while Hong Kong is an international aviation centre and logistics hub. The co-operation between the two cities is the best example of fostering a strong alliance. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantage of having extensive connections to both the Mainland and the world, and its role as a 'super connector', establishing more seamless logistics channels while strengthening the development of the sea-air transshipment and 'water-to-water transshipment' businessbetween the GBA and the world through Hong Kong's transport and logistics network."
STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government 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
