Traffic mostly smooth on first school day
The Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, today (September 1) visited the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) of the Transport Department (TD) to take a closer look at the traffic and public transport services on the first school day.
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Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The ETCC has been escalated to the Joint Steering Mode operation, the highest tier, from 6.30am to closely monitor the traffic and transport conditions of various districts, and the overall traffic conditions have mostly been smooth so far. Accompanied by the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee, Mr Liu was briefed on the TD's co-ordination and monitoring work in collaboration with the Police and major public transport operators, as well as its preparedness and response in case of inclement weather, with a view to minimising the impact on the public's commute.
Mr Liu said, "Railway, bus and ferry services remain normal this morning. Special routes serving school areas have resumed service. Cross-boundary students commuting to schools in Hong Kong have also been largely smooth. The road traffic of trunk roads, tunnels, bridges and school areas was busier but has generally been smooth. Public transport services can basically meet passenger demand."
Ms Lee added that the TD deployed about 100 staff members for on-site monitoring of the traffic conditions at major public transport interchanges, stations, school areas, land boundary control points and tunnels across the territory. They reported the real-time situation to the ETCC for service enhancement and implementation of traffic management measures accordingly where necessary.
Students are again reminded to familiarise themselves early with public transport routes and their service frequencies to and from their schools to determine the most suitable means of commute. Members of the public are advised to heed the latest traffic news through the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic mostly smooth on first school day 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
