EAC Chairman inspects hands-on training session for polling staff of 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections
The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
The 2025 Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-elections will be held on September 7 (Sunday). The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice David Lok, inspected the hands-on training session conducted by the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (August 28) for the electoral staff of polling stations, including the operation of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) System and contingency measures for special situations to get them well prepared for the By-elections.
Five ordinary polling stations (OPSs) and one dedicated polling station located in a police station will be set up for the ECSS By-elections. The EPR System will be used at the OPSs for issuing ballot papers to voters. The staff participating in the training today will perform duties in the operation of the OPSs, including ballot paper issuance on the polling day. This training focuses on hands-on practice and scenario-based exercises, aiming to enhance their understanding of the operation of the polling stations, such as using the EPR System, and familiarise themselves with the arrangements for activating corresponding fallback plans when needed to maintain normal operation of the polling stations under unforeseen situations and minimise the inconvenience caused to voters.
Mr Justice Lok said that this hands-on training session could enable the staff to get familiar with the relevant workflow and details of the operation of the polling stations, as well as contingency plans in case of unforeseen situations. He thanked the electoral staff for their joint efforts and dedication in ensuring that all polling procedures are in compliance with the relevant legislations and guidelines, and that the poll would be conducted orderly and efficiently, in an open, honest and fair manner.
The REO has been hosting different training sessions and simulation exercises for electoral staff to deepen their understanding of their work while at the same time strengthen the co-ordination and response capabilities among staff with different responsibilities for making a detailed and comprehensive preparation for the upcoming By-elections and ensuring that the polling and counting processes will be carried out smoothly.
EAC Chairman inspects hands-on training session for polling staff of 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EAC Chairman inspects hands-on training session for polling staff of 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections 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
