CE meets University Grants Committee members
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with members of the University Grants Committee (UGC) today (September 5) to exchange views on the latest developments in higher education in Hong Kong. The discussion covered themes including institutional governance, strategic development directions of local and overseas universities, the contribution of higher education to development, and the relationship between research and knowledge transfer. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Dr Stephen Wong; and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan, also joined the meeting.
The UGC Chairman, Mr Tim Lui, briefed Mr Lee on the various initiatives being advanced by the UGC, particularly the strategic development directions under the Planning Exercise 2025-28 and the importance of institutional governance. The UGC will continue to collaborate with UGC-funded universities to nurture local talent and attract elites from around the world, promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand and actively contributing to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education.
Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to UGC members from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas countries for their suggestions on the development of Hong Kong's higher education. He acknowledged the UGC's contributions to promoting the internationalisation and diversification of UGC-funded universities. He noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100, and that the Government and the UGC have been working together to nurture talent, enhance research and knowledge transfer, and support the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talent. Highlighting the Government's efforts towards the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Mr Lee expressed his aspiration that the UGC will continue to encourage local universities to collaborate with overseas and Mainland institutions, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world. He added that through flexible and innovative development models, more research collaborations and exchange programmes can be established, enhancing the international influence of Hong Kong's academic and research endeavours and promoting the development of Hong Kong's new quality productive forces.
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
