Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) supported and participated in two education promotional events in Vietnam, with an aim to promote Hong Kong's quality higher education and the "Study in Hong Kong" brand. Organised by the eight publicly-funded universities, the two events took place in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) today (October 11) and in Hanoi on October 5.
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Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, attended the event in HCMC this morning (October 11). In his opening speech, Mr Fung said, "Accordingly to 'The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address', Hong Kong is committed to strengthening its role as an international education hub. With five universities ranked among the world's top 100 and English as the main teaching medium, our institutions offer globally recognised degrees and a unique East-meets-West learning environment."
He added, "The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates allow international students to stay for at least 24 months after graduation to seek employment, helping graduates build rewarding careers in diverse industries with the ample opportunities that are available in Hong Kong. Coupled with Hong Kong's close ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its growing connections with Vietnam, a Hong Kong education opens doors both within the city and across the region."
The Deputy Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in HCMC, Mr Xu Zhou and representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports also attended the event today to show support as well as to engage in exchanges with representatives from the eight Hong Kong universities. Moreover, the Deputy Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Teresa Poon, represented the Singapore ETO to attend and speak at the event in Hanoi on October 5.
Apart from the two events at major shopping centres, the entire multi-city recruitment exercise included school visits, admission talks and fairs at different local, public and gifted schools across Da Nang, Hai Duong, Hanoi, HCMC, and Hue. This is the third time the eight publicly funded universities have launched a recruitment exercise in Vietnam.
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Singapore ETO joins publicly funded universities to promote "Study in Hong Kong" in Vietnam 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
