Proposed road works for Smart and Green Mass Transit System Phase 1 in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area gazetted
The Government published in the Gazette today (October 10) the scheme for the proposed road works for Smart and Green Mass Transit System Phase 1 in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA). The system aims to provide convenient and fast feeder services within the area.
The scheme for Phase 1 road works of the system is about 4.5 kilometres long with seven proposed stations. It will connect Nai Wai to the planned Logistics, Enterprise and Technology Quarter and Residential Area in HSK/HT NDA, and will connect to the Tuen Ma Line Hung Shui Kiu Station (under construction), Light Rail Nai Wai Stop, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (under planning) and transport interchanges within the area, supporting the Second Phase Development of HSK/HT NDA.
The Government has consulted the public on the scheme for Phase 1 road works of the system and received wide support. Invitation of tenders for the relevant proposed road works is targeted in 2026, with a view to completing the relevant road works by 2031 and commissioning the system in time to meet the major population intake in HSK/HT NDA.
Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
Ground Floor, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
Ground Floor, Yuen Long District Office Building,
269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories
Tuen Mun Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
2nd Floor, Tuen Mun Government Offices,
1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
9th Floor, Yuen Long Government Offices,
2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories
District Lands Office, Tuen Mun,
6th Floor, Tuen Mun Government Offices,
1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.
Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau's Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2nd Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
By fax to 2868 4643; or
By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.
A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than December 9, 2025.
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
