GoGlobal Task Force Steering Committee holds first meeting
The steering committee for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), chaired by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, held its first meeting today (October 14).
To better support Mainland enterprises in going global, the 2025 Policy Address outlined integrating Hong Kong's overseas offices, including those under Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland, to set up a one-stop platform, the GoGlobal Task Force, to proactively attract Mainland enterprises seeking to expand their overseas business to "go global" via Hong Kong. The GoGlobal Task Force was officially launched on October 6.
Mr Yau said, "The GoGlobal Task Force aims to build a bridge for Mainland enterprises to the world by gathering professionals from various sectors, encouraging more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to successfully expand globally in an orderly way. The GoGlobal Task Force will strengthen collaboration across policy bureaux, departments, organisations and sectors, proactively providing a more comprehensive and timely support platform for Mainland enterprises."
Mr Yau added, "By leveraging the global network and extensive experience of its partners, the GoGlobal Task Force will be able to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises. In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to 'go global', it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transforming the GoGlobal Task Forceinto a new driver for Hong Kong's economy, and further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international business and trade hub."
The steering committee approved its terms of reference at its meeting today and discussed the overall strategies of the GoGlobal Task Force in the future and related publicity and promotion work.
Members of the steering committee for the GoGlobal Task Force include:
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Chairman)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services)
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council
Commissioner, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation
Director-General of Investment Promotion
GoGlobal Task Force Steering Committee holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
GoGlobal Task Force Steering Committee holds first meeting 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
