Immigration Department arrests 16 persons during operations targeting foreign domestic helpers who breach conditions of stay
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Swordfish", for three consecutive days from October 12 to 14, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 16 persons, including ten suspected illegal workers and six suspected employers, were arrested.
During the operation, ImmD investigators raided 26 target locations including restaurants, guesthouses, retail stores and commercial buildings. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised ten women, aged 26 to 43. Among them, five persons were current helpers, three persons were overstaying ex-helpers, one person was visitor and one person was found to be an imported worker. ImmD investigators found most of the suspected illegal workers at restaurants or guesthouses performing dishwashing, cleaning, etc. Meanwhile, six suspected employers, comprising five men and one woman, aged 41 to 63.
"A helper should only perform domestic duties for the employer as listed in the "Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties" attached to the Contract. The helper should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the helper to carry out any work for any other person," an ImmD spokesman said.
The spokesman also said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/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."
In addition, the spokesman warned that, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, 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 is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment."
The spokesman reiterated 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) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP 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.
Immigration Department arrests 16 persons during operations targeting foreign domestic helpers who breach conditions of stay Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Immigration Department arrests 16 persons during operations targeting foreign domestic helpers who breach conditions of stay Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at Defining Hong Kong's Role in the Changing Global Economy conference
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Defining Hong Kong's Role in the Changing Global Economy conference today (November 18):
Mr Robin Harding (Asia Editor for the Financial Times), Daryl (Chairman of the Sino Group, Mr Daryl Ng), Consuls-General, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you at this conference, a gathering of policymakers, distinguished business leaders and innovators, to explore Hong Kong's evolving role in the global economy.
I'm sure that by the end of today's discussions, you will appreciate Hong Kong more and recognise the enduring value we bring to the world.
In considering Hong Kong's role in the changing global economy, allow me to highlight our two major development priorities: strengthening our position as an international financial centre and advancing innovation and technology.
Hong Kong as a rising IFC
First, geopolitical developments are elevating - rather than diminishing - Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre (IFC). As you may recall, the opening months of 2025 were marked by significant policy shifts in the United States (US), bringing a new level of uncertainty to the global markets. In the wake of the turbulent Liberation Day saga, investors around the world responded with heightened caution, reassessing risks and recalibrating their strategies.
And consider this data: gold prices have surged by over 55 per cent this year, reflecting heightened risk aversion. Bitcoin had once soared by more than 110 per cent, demonstrating demand for alternative stores of value. The equity markets in the US boomed - for instance, the S&P 500 rose by around 14 per cent, but the US dollar depreciated by around 10 per cent, with 10-year Treasury yields having fallen by more than 60 basis points.
What do these tell us? They revealed that amid heighted policy uncertainty and market volatility, investors are seeking safe havens. In this process, they look for transparent, consistent and stable policy environments, and value jurisdictions with familiar legal systems and trusted regulatory frameworks.
They, of course, continue to pursue returns. Yes, Hong Kong is the answer. At the start of this year, the average P/E (price-to-earnings ratio) of Hong Kong stocks were only around 12. And when the DeepSeek moment highlighted China's technological strength and cost efficiency, global investors quickly realised they had underallocated to this region.
Indeed, this wave of global investor interest has translated into significant capital flow into our market. The Hang Seng Index has surged by over 30 per cent year-to-date, following an 18 per cent gain last year, with an average daily turnover more than doubled that of last year. IPO (initial public offering) fundraising reached approximately US$28 billion as of October, making Hong Kong the global leader in new listings so far this year. Follow-on fundraising has been even stronger, reaching US$61 billion in the same period.
The asset and wealth management industry is also experiencing robust growth, with strong capital inflows. In the first eight months of this year, Hong Kong-domiciled funds recorded net inflows of US$43 billion.
Bank deposits have increased by 10 per cent so far this year, reaching over US$2.4 trillion.
Financial institutions have responded accordingly, with many expanding their operations in the city. We are seeing leading financial firms leasing larger office spaces, and in the case of some fintech companies, even acquiring entire building blocks.
Going forward, geo-economic reconfiguration is accelerating regional economic co-operation and advancing trade and investment within blocs. We are witnessing growing momentum in initiatives such as FTA (free trade agreement) 3.0 between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), as well as the expanding corridors of collaboration with the Middle East. Within these, Hong Kong plays a pivotal and strategic role - connecting markets, channelling capital, matching businesses, and providing professional expertise.
On capital markets, bilateral cross-border collaboration is gaining significant traction. Hong Kong's deepening cross-border collaboration with the Middle East is a compelling case in point. Over the past few years, we have worked closely with Saudi's Tadawul to facilitate the mutual listing of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) on each other's market. We then strengthened cross-border regulatory collaboration to pave the way for dual listings. Last week, we marked a historic milestone by welcoming the first Middle Eastern company to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Indeed, our collaboration extends beyond finance into the industrial and commercial sectors. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will soon jointly launch a US$1 billion fund to support Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area companies to expand into Saudi Arabia, contributing to the development of non-oil economic sectors in Saudi Arabia. Next month, a major Saudi development company will be hosting a roadshow in Hong Kong to seek strategic partners and professional service providers to support their infrastructure development.
Innovation and technology
The second major development direction for Hong Kong is innovation and technology - our new engine of growth.
Our strategy focuses on sectors where we hold a competitive advantage: artificial intelligence (AI), biotech, fintech, as well as new energy and new materials.
To realise this vision, several key elements are essential: cutting-edge technology, technology enterprises, talent, market, land resources and capital.
On the enterprise front, we have established the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), dedicated to bringing in high-impact, high-potential tech companies engaged in frontier technologies. Over the past three years, we have attracted over 100 such enterprises, many of which are global leaders in their respective fields. Collectively, these companies are expected to invest around US$8 billion in Hong Kong, creating about 22 000 quality jobs. Many are now setting up R&D (research and development) centres or regional headquarters in this city, often bringing with them upstream and downstream partners, thereby further enriching our innovation ecosystem.
We have established the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, HKIC, as patient capital, to help us realise this vision. I'm sure Clara (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, Ms Clara Chan) will share more on this at the upcoming panel session.
In terms of land resources, the Northern Metropolis will be the carrier of our vision for innovation and technology. It also functions as a strategic base for collaboration with other Greater Bay Area cities, in particular Shenzhen. We are accelerating its development through innovative policies and tailor-made incentive packages. The goal is to anchor leading technology companies here to build a vibrant ecosystem so that our vision in innovation and technology will be deeply ingrained with industry development.
Speaking of the Greater Bay Area, there is an additional advantage that few regions can match. It is where high-end manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge AI innovation simultaneously reside. AI technology can be directly and seamlessly applied, tested and validated in real-world industrial settings.
On talent, Hong Kong continues to be a magnet for global professionals. Since the launch of new and enhanced talent admission schemes at the end of 2022, we have received over 550 000 applications, approved more than 370 000, and more than 250 000 individuals have already arrived.
In fact, amid the geopolitical landscape, we have recently welcomed hundreds of scholars, researchers and world-renowned academics. And outstanding students are on their way here too. Here in Hong Kong, we believe that intellectual excellence knows no borders. We welcome the world's brightest minds to our city where merit - not politics - defines opportunity.
Concluding remarks
Ladies and gentlemen, in short, Hong Kong is accelerating its role as both an international financial centre and a premier global innovation hub. Few cities in the world can lead in these dimensions simultaneously - and with such momentum.
I wish you all a rewarding summit, and good health and continued success in the time ahead. Thank you very much.
Speech by FS at Defining Hong Kong's Role in the Changing Global Economy conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at Defining Hong Kong's Role in the Changing Global Economy conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
