Emergency relief fund for farmers, fish farmers and fishermen affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa
Local farmers, fish farmers and fishermen who suffered serious losses caused by the recent Super Typhoon Ragasa can register with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from tomorrow (September 26) for assistance from an emergency relief fund. According to the application guideline of the emergency relief fund, the application deadline for affected farmers and fish farmers is October 8, and the application deadline for affected fishermen is November 11.
An AFCD spokesman said today (September 25) that an appropriate amount of the relief funding would be released to affected eligible farmers, fish farmers and fishermen according to established criteria.
"After each typhoon or natural disaster, AFCD staff will contact farmers, fish farmers and fishermen to assess the resultant damage to their farmland areas, fish rafts, fish ponds and fishing vessels. Depending on the extent of the damage, the department may launch an operation to provide some relief to affected persons," the spokesman said.
The department's preliminary investigation has revealed that about 300 hectares of farmland in the New Territories, some fish rafts in certain fish culture zones and some fishing vessels were affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa.
Affected farmers who need to apply for the fund can submit their applications in person at the Agricultural Extension Office of the AFCD at 5/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, or submit their applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_loan/agr_loan_erf/agr_loan_erf.html). For enquiries, please contact the hotline at 2476 2424 during office hours.
Affected fish farmers can submit their applications in person at the following AFCD offices:
1) Fisheries Licensing Section Office, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon;
2) Aberdeen Fisheries Office, 100A Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen;
3) Tai Po Fisheries Office, 3 Yu On Street, Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories; or
4) Sai Kung Fisheries Office, 5/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories.
Affected fishermen can submit their applications at the Liaison and Market Section Office of the AFCD, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
Affected fish farmers and fishermen can also submit their applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_techsup/fish_cap_erf.html). For enquiries, please contact the hotline at 2150 7109 (fish farmers) or 2150 7099 (fishermen) during office hours.
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
