HKTE visits UK to collaborate with enterprises in attracting talent
A spokesperson for Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) said today (October 13) that HKTE visited London, the United Kingdom (UK), from October 8 to 12 to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
The Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Manpower), Mr Andrew Tsang, led a HKTE delegation to London, together with professionals from engineering, finance and accounting sectors in Hong Kong. They engaged with representatives from four universities in the world's top 100, namely Imperial College London, King's College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Oxford. Three events were organised at the respective universities to promote Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities, introduce various talent attraction measures, and feature professionals sharing insights on industry development, with a view to attracting local talent to Hong Kong. In addition, HKTE, together with MTR Corporation Limited and Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, participated in two university career fairs to recruit talent for pursuing development in Hong Kong.
The HKTE delegation set off today for cities in central UK to continue promotional activities and organise events at the world's top 100 universities in Warwick, Leeds and Sheffield. The delegation will also participate in university career fairs to promote development opportunities in Hong Kong.
In addition, HKTE will visit Switzerland in late October, together with representatives from five hospitality groups under the Hong Kong Hotels Association and from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to participate in recruitment events organised by renowned hospitality management schools and work together with enterprises to promote Hong Kong's opportunities and attract talent.
A spokesperson for HKTE said, "In the future, we will continue to run promotions in key regions worldwide to attract international talent to relocate to Hong Kong. We are also actively preparing for the Global Talent Summit Week to be held in March next year, highlighting Hong Kong's advantages as an international talent hub and the country's gateway for talent."
HKTE visits UK to collaborate with enterprises in attracting talent Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKTE visits UK to collaborate with enterprises in attracting talent Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKTE visits UK to collaborate with enterprises in attracting talent 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
