Relocation arrangements for smart recycling bins in Tiu King Leng, Tseung Kwan O
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 5) said that the smart recycling bin located in the shopping mall at Ocean Shores Phase 3 on O King Road in Tiu Keng Leng, commonly known as GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN - TIU KENG LENG BRANCH, will be relocated to the nearby Metro City Shopping Mall for operation in mid-September.
A spokesperson for the EPD said that it has noticed recent misunderstandings among some media and community members, who thought that the recycling services at the above location were being terminated, raising concerns about potential inconvenience for residents in the area participating in waste separation and recycling. The EPD hereby clarifies that the relocation of the smart recycling bin is solely due to the expiration of lease at the current site. It will be moved to another location in the same district to continue providing convenient recycling services to the public. A notice regarding the relocation has been posted on the smart recycling bin to inform the public of the arrangements.
"As the Metro City Shopping Mall is currently undergoing internal renovation works, the EPD is keeping close communication with the management office. The smart recycling bin is tentatively scheduled to commence operation on September 15. The EPD thanks the public for their continued support. We call on everyone to continue actively carrying out green actions, working together to contribute to Hong Kong's environmental protection efforts," the spokesman said.
Moreover, to further facilitate public participation in recycling, GREEN@SAI KUNG TOWN will set up a Recycling Spot on the pavement outside Exit A2 of Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station every Tuesday and Saturday morning starting from September 16. Members of the public can also visit the nearby GREEN@KIN MING located in Kin Ming Estate or use the waste separation and recycling facilities in their housing estates for continuous participation in clean recycling.
Details about the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network can be found on the website: www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/waste-reduction-programme/greencommunity.
Source: AI-found images
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
