SB launches one-stop information platform on immigration clearance "Easy Boundary"
The Security Bureau (SB) today (September 22) launched "Easy Boundary", a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance. The platform aims to help Hong Kong residents and visitors plan their cross-boundary trips by providing the latest information on various land boundary control points (BCPs).
"Easy Boundary" uses green, yellow and red lights to signify the situation of land BCPs in three levels: "Normal", "Busy" and "Very Busy", respectively, with rough estimates of the average waiting time. The relevant information will be updated every 15 minutes to keep passengers informed.
Previously, passengers had to obtain the information now available on "Easy Boundary" from different platforms, such as by checking the waiting time at the departure/arrival halls of BCPs and road traffic conditions respectively on the Immigration Department (ImmD) and Transport Department (TD) mobile applications. From now on, passengers can obtain useful information on "Easy Boundary" in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus).
"Easy Boundary" will also display real-time ad hoc situations at BCPs, including major traffic accidents nearby. If a "Very Busy" signal is displayed in respect of a particular control point or if an emergency occurs, passengers may consider using other ports or allowing sufficient time for immigration clearance.
Moreover, "Easy Boundary" is also integrated with links to obtain other real-time information, including real-time information on immigration clearance from "iPort", a WeChat mini programme of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and that of the HZMB Zhuhai Port, as well as Hong Kong's real-time traffic conditions, allowing passengers to browse conveniently and quickly.
Information on "Easy Boundary" is provided by the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force and the TD. In the next phase, the platform will introduce real-time images, and will utilise advanced technology (such as artificial intelligence) to assess the real-time situation of immigration clearance at land BCPs, with a view to providing passengers with a smarter, more accurate, and more convenient cross-boundary information platform.
Recently, the number of cross-boundary passenger trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has reached record highs repeatedly, which fully reflects the mutual engagement between the people of the two places. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been making advance preparations. Through flexible manpower deployment, all clearance counters and channels at busy BCPs are put into operation. Additional kiosks and channels will also be arranged if necessary to further ease passenger and vehicular flows. Despite confronting peak travel periods repeatedly, the overall immigration clearance remains smooth. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement multipronged measures, including the launch of "Easy Boundary", to provide a better boundary-crossing experience for both southbound and northbound travellers.
A link to "Easy Boundary" (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) has been uploaded onto the SB's website. A relevant instructional video for "Easy Boundary" has been uploaded to the SB's webpage and social media platforms.
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
