Narcotics Division and Action Committee Against Narcotics visit Masjid Ismail in Tung Chung
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mr Kesson Lee, and member of the Action Committee Against Narcotics Dr Rizwan Ullah visited Masjid Ismail in Tung Chung today (August 29) to promote and share anti-drug information with the Muslim community.
During the visit, Mr Lee and Dr Ullah met with the Director of United Welfare Union Hong Kong, Mr Mohammad Ilyas. Mr Lee briefed Mr Ilyas on the latest drug situation and the Government's efforts in legislation, enforcement and publicity against drugs. To promote anti-drug messages, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals CROSS Centre also set up an information booth and distributed anti-drug souvenirs and leaflets to worshippers at Masjid Ismail. The Centre is one of 11 Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers in Hong Kong that provide treatment and rehabilitation services to drug abusers as well as anti-drug information to the community.
Mr Lee said, "The Government attaches great importance to combating drugs. With the ever-changing drug scene such as the rise of etomidate, the Government needs to devise targeted publicity campaigns, as well as stepping up enforcement. To make this happen, we need the participation of local residents from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. We are grateful that the Muslim community has always been supportive. In this regard, the sharing of experience by Mr Ilyas today has been most insightful and valuable."
Dr Ullah said, "The non-Chinese speaking communities are eager to take part in anti-drug promotion and reach out to young people to educate them about the harms of drugs. The visit today shows that the Government has always embraced opportunities to work with people from different backgrounds in enhancing community awareness of drug abuse."
The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau will continue to work closely with different communities and ethnic groups to strengthen the public's resolve against drugs. Selected publicity materials are available in six languages commonly used by ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, and interested parties may obtain them from the website of the ND (www.nd.gov.hk/en/ethnic_minority.html) to display for free.
Narcotics Division and Action Committee Against Narcotics visit Masjid Ismail in Tung Chung Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Narcotics Division and Action Committee Against Narcotics visit Masjid Ismail in Tung Chung Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Narcotics Division and Action Committee Against Narcotics visit Masjid Ismail in Tung Chung 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
