Child Protection Harmony Fun Day Celebrates 100-Day Countdown to Mandatory Reporting Ordinance Launch

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid

The Commission on Children (CoC) held the "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" public engagement event at the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre today (October 11). The event marked the 100-day countdown to the commencement of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance on January 20 next year, with an aim to enhance public awareness of the Ordinance and promote child protection among members of the public and ethnic minority communities.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Vice-chairperson of the CoC, Mr Chris Sun, together with the ex-officio members of the CoC; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To; and the Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, Mr Saeed Uddin, officiated at the opening ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Mr Sun said that the Government has launched the Child Protection Campaign to dovetail with the commencement of the Ordinance and to enhance the understanding of the mandatory reporting regime among specified professionals and members of the public. The event further strengthened the collaboration between the Government and ethnic minority communities to jointly create a safe and inclusive environment for the growth of children.

Mr Uddin indicated that child protection is not only a professional responsibility but also a moral and communal obligation. He reaffirmed that the ethnic minority community is fully committed to supporting and promoting the establishment of a safe and respectful environment for children. Mr Chow pointed out that the Police have always been committed to fostering community engagement with ethnic minority groups and have been promoting the new legislation through various channels and stakeholders. He appealed to members of the public to promptly report any suspected child abuse cases to safeguard the safety and well-being of children. Mr To highlighted that the Social Welfare Department has been working closely with other government departments and non-governmental organisations to safeguard the well-being of children. Through the cross-sectoral support and collaborative efforts of professionals from the social welfare, education and healthcare sectors, problems can be identified and intervened upon at an early stage, providing families in need with appropriate assistance.

The officiating guests, accompanied by the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan; the Convenor of the Working Group on Child Protection of the CoC, Ms Kathy Chung; and Vice-convenors Dr Rizwan Ullah and Ms Donna Wong; the Convenor of the Working Group on Promotion and Public Engagement of the CoC, Mr Gary Wong; and the Vice-convenor, Ms Joyce Lee, officiated at the kick-off ceremony to mark the milestone of the 100-day countdown to the commencement of the Ordinance in January next year.

The event featured different interactive game booths for ethnic minorities and local families to participate in. These booth games highlighted the content of the Ordinance and the message of child protection, facilitating parents and carers in understanding how the mandatory reporting regime could protect children from abuse, thereby enhancing public awareness of the Ordinance. Children's health check stations were also set up at the event, encouraging parents and carers to pay closer attention to children's health and development, thereby promoting a healthy lifestyle.

This event was one of the stakeholder engagement events of the CoC under the theme of racial harmony for child protection. Through community participation, it widely disseminated the message of child protection to members of the public. The CoC will continue to promote the work on child protection through various publicity initiatives and activities and collaborate with all sectors of society to safeguard the well-being of children.

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commission on Children holds "Child Protection Harmony Fun Day" to promote child protection at Kowloon Masjid Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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