Civil Service Secretary Engages NEC Interns, Promotes Diversity and Career Opportunities in Government

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, met with non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) university students interning at government departments today (July 24) to listen to their sharing on the internship experience and takeaways, and encouraged them to learn more about the work and services of the Government. A total of 52 NEC students participate in the internship programme this year, the highest number since its inception.

Speaking at the sharing session, Mrs Yeung said that Hong Kong is a multicultural society, and the Government has been actively promoting equal employment opportunities for NECs over the years. This internship programme is a good example. She encouraged the interns to keep equipping themselves and invited them to visit the upcoming Government Career Fairs to be held at various institutions, as well as the Education & Careers Expo in January 2027, to explore the diverse opportunities in the civil service.

Mrs Yeung said, "The Government attaches great importance to attracting talent from different backgrounds to join the civil service, and building a diversified pool of talent to enhance the quality and efficiency of public services. We select candidates for appointment through a fair and open process based on their ability, qualification and character. Race has never been a relevant consideration."

Mr Chand Parwardigar, who is studying financial technology and AI at university, is interning at the Information Technology Management Unit of the Official Receiver's Office, where he assists in developing and implementing AI workflow automation, and composes business intelligence reports for data analysis. He said that the internship scope is closely related to his current course of study, enabling him to put his knowledge into practice and apply programming and AI techniques. It also strengthens his aspiration to pursue a career in AI and the information technology industry.

Miss Sammie Srirotjariya, who has Chinese-Thai heritage, is posted to the Crime Section of the Litigation Division of the Legal Aid Department. She is responsible for processing legal aid applications and providing support to Legal Aid Counsels. Pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree, she said that the internship allowed her to step beyond the confines of textbooks and gain firsthand insights into the actual operations of criminal legal procedures. From observing court hearings to going on legal visits, she is given a more comprehensive understanding of Hong Kong's judicial system. She said she looks forward to applying the practical knowledge and skills acquired during the internship to her future studies and career.

Miss Mohammad Jannat Bi Bi, interning at the Quality Services Division of the Innovation and Technology Commission, assists in promoting the accreditation services provided by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service for local laboratories, certification and inspection bodies. Her duties include designing and producing e-newsletters and assisting in organising seminars. She said the internship has given her a deeper understanding of how quality standards affect daily life and business operations, and has also taught her to develop a prudent and responsible work attitude.

In fact, an increasing number of NECs have joined the civil service. Two NEC civil servants, Land Surveyor of the Lands Department Mr Sandhu Sahib Singh and Station Officer of the Fire Services Department Mr Muhammad Vajahat Ali, shared with the interns their journeys in joining the civil service and day-to-day work at the sharing session. Their firsthand experiences gave the interns a more genuine feel of the diversity and inclusiveness of the civil service, which also enabled them to have a clearer understanding of the preparation work for applications to civil service posts, as well as their future development paths.

The Civil Service Bureau has been organising the internship programme for NEC university students in government departments since 2019, with the aim of helping young NECs accumulate work experience, enhance their employability and deepen their understanding of the operation of the Government. Interns are placed in various bureaux and departments for about eight weeks of internship. The Government also provides them with online basic workplace Chinese language self-learning resources to encourage them to continue their Chinese learning. Over 270 NEC students have participated in the programme since its launch with positive responses.

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Non-ethnic Chinese students gain workplace experience through internships at government departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

27 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight", "Contribute", a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed "Rainbow" and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand" from July 17 to yesterday (July 23). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, retail stores and warehouses. Twenty-five suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 15 men and 10 women, aged 23 to 56. Among them, three men were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, while one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Two men, aged 40 and 51, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. 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. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment.”

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 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, emailanti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form atwww.immd.gov.hk.

27 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

27 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases