Seminar on Executive-Legislative Collaboration for Good Governance and Better Future to be held tomorrow
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will hold the Seminar on Executive-Legislative Collaboration for Good Governance and Better Future tomorrow (October 16) at the Central Government Offices, to strengthen the public's understanding of the interactive relationship between the Executive Authorities and the Legislature, steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems"; and the significance of good governance. Patriotic and pro-Hong Kong organisations, representatives from various sectors of the community, as well as experts and scholars are invited to exchange insightful views and build consensus at the seminar.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will deliver a keynote speech at the seminar. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung; the Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Coalition, Mr Tam Yiu-chung; and the Consultant of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Professor Lau Siu-kai, will give thematic speeches.
The seminar will be held from 11am to 12.30pm tomorrow. Media will be invited to cover the event. Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV 32 will live-broadcast the seminar, whereas the RTHK website (rthk.hk/tv),Information Services Department's website (webcast.info.gov.hk), the news.gov.hk's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/govnews.hk) and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cmab.gov.hk) will stream the seminar online.
A government spokesman said, "The seventh-term Legislative Council which is elected after the improvement of the electoral system, has successfully implemented the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Over the past four years, it has very much maintained constructive interaction and co-ordination with the Government, exercising its constitutional functions through giving insightful advice on policy matters to enhance governance efficiency and to facilitate social welfare and economic development, as well as the good governance of the HKSAR. We encourge members of the public to watch the seminar for a better understanding of the importance of Legislative Council Election and to participate actively in the Election to create the future together.
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
