19 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Lightshadow", joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed "Rainbow" and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed "Powerplayer" from January 16 to yesterday (January 22). A total of 13 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and two suspected aiders and abettors were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, flats under renovation and grocery stores etc. Thirteen suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two men and 11 women, aged 24 to 62. Among them, two women were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. Two men and two women, aged 36 to 62, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. Furthermore, the two suspected aiders and abettors arrested were a man aged 35 and a woman aged 50. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
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 warned, "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. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years."
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 the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
19 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape
The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) opened today (January 26). Featuring the theme "Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape", the forum gathered heavyweight speakers from around the world to exchange insights on the latest developments in the financial market and to explore ways to foster co-operation among economies to gain mutual benefits in times of change.
The AFF, co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has been a flagship financial event in the region. The two-day forum is expected to attract over 3 600 participants from more than 60 countries or regions. This year's AFF has brought together over 150 distinguished speakers, including government officials, representatives from central banks and regulatory bodies, financial and business leaders, scholars and economists, to discuss key financial and economic trends, as well as emerging opportunities in various facets of the financial sector, including asset and wealth management, fintech, trade finance, gold and precious metals trading, green finance, insurance and risk management. This year's forum also includes significant upgrades to its content, introducing the new Global Business Summit. The summit explores how finance empowers businesses, focusing on Mainland economic opportunities and examining how Hong Kong leverages the synergy between finance and industries to support Mainland enterprises in "going global" while facilitating the "bringing in" of international businesses.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, when addressing the opening session of the AFF this morning, highlighted Hong Kong's prowess as an international financial hub. He said, "Hong Kong's financial regulatory system is robust, and our financial market stands out for its deep liquidity, innovative products and world-class investor protection. We also boast a highly educated workforce, a welcoming environment for global talent and transparent financial regulations aligned with international standards."
He stressed that these strengths are widely recognised, citing the fact that Hong Kong ranked third, globally, and first in Asia, in the most recent Global Financial Centres Index, while placing third in the 2025 World Competitiveness Yearbook, up two places over the previous year. He added that the city will focus on three fronts to further boost its status as an international financial centre. First, Hong Kong will further reinforce its existing strengths, including those in the equity market, the bond market, and the asset management and wealth management sector. Second, Hong Kong will expedite the development of new growth areas, including building an international gold trading market and commodities trading ecosystem in Hong Kong. Third, international exchanges and co-operation will remain a priority for Hong Kong, including assisting companies interested in re-domiciling to Hong Kong.
In the opening session, the Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), Mr Zou Lan said that China's financial market has developed rapidly in recent years, with its international influence and attractiveness being continuously enhanced. As Renminbi is more widely used in cross-boundary transactions, Hong Kong has emerged as the world's largest and most influential offshore Renminbi business hub. He said that as a next step to steadfastly support and further steadily advance the development of Hong Kong's offshore Renminbi market, the PBOC will focus on four key directions: first, to increase the scale of Renminbi funding arrangements to provide more ample liquidity support for Hong Kong's offshore market; second, to continue to advance financial market connectivity, enriching liquidity management and risk hedging tools for overseas investors; third, to expand the supply of offshore Renminbi sovereign bonds to enhance market liquidity; and fourth, to support the development of Hong Kong's gold market to strengthen the offshore Renminbi market function of Hong Kong.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, delivered welcome remarks at the keynote luncheon. He said, "In a world where economies are reconfiguring value chains and seeking more resilient, diversified partnerships, Hong Kong stands out as a reliable, trusted, resourceful and well-positioned partner, bridging the Mainland and the world."
He emphasised that Hong Kong’s significance will only grow, pointing out that Hong Kong serves as a gateway for global investors to access China's innovation-driven opportunities. In the realms of finance, he highlighted two key specific areas: as the premier two-way international fundraising platform, welcoming both Mainland and international companies to list in Hong Kong to support their growth; and as the world’s leading offshore Renminbi (RMB) hub, with a wide range of RMB-denominated investment and risk management products for global investors.
He added that at a time of global fragmentation, Hong Kong will continue to remain open for business, and welcome partners from around the world in shaping the future of Asia – and the world at large – together.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, signed today a co-operation agreement with the Chairman of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, Mr Yu Wenjian, in the presence of Mr Lee; Mr Zou; Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Shanghai Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Mr Wu Wei; and the Executive Deputy Director of the Office of the Financial Commission of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Mr Zhou Xiaoquan. The co-operation agreement marks a new milestone for deepening the co-operation between gold markets in the two places, such as establishing a high-level, collaborative governance structure for Hong Kong's gold central clearing system, opening new avenues for physical infrastructure synergy and market interconnectivity. Separately, a panel discussion on gold exchange was held in the afternoon, analysing the market developments of the global gold industry and Hong Kong's role.
Mr Hui also chaired a plenary session today themed "Fostering Co-operation for Shared Success". Mr Hui and the panellists shared their thoughts on how to strengthen communication and dialogue among economies and pursue shared development amid the evolving global political and economic landscape. Speakers joining this session included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Slovenia, Mr Klemen Boštjani; the Minister of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye, Mr Mehmet imek; the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Ms Zou Jiayi; and the Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific) of Asian Development Bank, Mr Scott Morris.
Former President of the European Commission, former Prime Minister of Portugal, and Chairman of Advisory Board at Goldman Sachs International, Dr José Manuel Barroso, also delivered a keynote speech at the luncheon, sharing his views on the changes in global political and economic landscapes and their impact on international markets.
The 19th AFF will continue tomorrow (January 27). The inaugurl Global Business Summit, co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, will be held. Focusing on how finance empowers businesses, the summit will cover the potential of high-growth industries such as artificial intelligence and technology, robotics, high-growth consumer products, and biopharmaceuticals and healthcare. It will also explore how Hong Kong can support Mainland enterprises going global, and the prospects of foreign enterprises entering the Mainland market. The summit will feature heavyweight speakers. Among them, Mr Chan; the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Mr Wu Wei; and Vice Governor of the People's Government of Hunan Province Mr Wang Junshou will deliver speeches.
Business leader, investor and philanthropist Mr Paul Polman will be the speaker for the keynote luncheon tomorrow. The forum will also feature thematic workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainable banking, and family office.
The two-day AFF encompasses diverse events, including Global Spectrum series, Dialogues for Tomorrow series, and a breakfast panel. Investment opportunities are highlighted through the AFF Deal-making and a range of exhibition zones. Moreover, to showcase Hong Kong's various cultures and facilities, the forum offers experiential activities, sightseeing tours and dining discounts for international participants, encouraging them to make the most of their stay and experience the city's vitality.
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Asian Financial Forum assembles global financial and business leaders to co-create new horizons amid evolving landscape Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
