Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models under Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis holds first meeting
Following the meeting of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis chaired by the Chief Executive this morning, the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models under the Committee, led by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its first meeting in the afternoon today (September 29).
The meeting reaffirmed the main objectives of the Working Group, which include: formulating development and operation models for designated development areas in the Northern Metropolis, tailored to their nature and scale; considering appropriate land disposal approaches for industry land and major development projects in the Northern Metropolis; and devising financing arrangements for industry parks and major development projects. The meeting also considered the tendering approach for the large-scale disposal site at the Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area, the policy on setting up industry park companies for industry land in the area, and the progress of rolling out parcels of the remaining land in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
Mr Chan said at the meeting that the Northern Metropolis is a key driver of Hong Kong's innovation, technology and industrial development, and an important base for deepening co-operation with sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. To expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, it was necessary to formulate appropriate development models, operation mechanisms and financing arrangements for the various development areas and projects, in tandem with the new phase of diversified industrial development. He added that the Working Group will adopt an open-minded, flexible and innovative approach in considering the development strategies that best suit the characteristics of various sites in development areas and industry parks of the Northern Metropolis. It will endeavour to remove unnecessary barriers, ease restrictions and allocate resources effectively. The Working Group will also seek to leverage market capital and attract investments and enterprises through a multitude of strategies, with a view to accelerating industry establishment and speeding up the development of the Northern Metropolis.
The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address the establishment of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, under which three working groups would be set up, namely the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models, the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town, and the Working Group on Planning and Development.
Members of the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models include:
Financial Secretary (Chairman)
Deputy Financial Secretary
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)
Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office
Representatives of other relevant policy bureaux and departments will be invited to attend meetings as necessary.
Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models under Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models under Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
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
