Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 28) held the opening ceremony of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre, marking the official reopening and full resumption of operation of the cooked food centre after enhancements.
Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Albert Yuen, said that the stall enhancement works of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre is a project under the Market Modernisation Programme to enhance the facilities and operating environment of the cooked food centre, thereby providing patrons with a more pleasant dining environment. He added that public-market policy needs to keep pace with the times and meet the needs of the community. The way forward for the Market Modernisation Programme focuses on stall enhancement works, whereas upgrading hardware in a more cost-effective manner is one of the key directions.
After the opening ceremony, Mr Yuen and other officiating and attending guests toured the cooked food centre, and talked to stall tenants to learn about the operating conditions of the enhanced cooked food centre. The stall tenants expected that the enhanced facilities and environment of the cooked food centre can enhance the comfort of diners and drive business growth.
The stall enhancement project of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre commenced last August. With the endeavours of the FEHD and the Architectural Services Department, the cooked food centre resumed full operation at the end of June upon completion of the works. Featuring six cooked food stalls and providing more than 180 seats for the public, the dining area and stall portals of the cooked food centre have been beautified. The ceiling and floor tiles have been replaced and the dining furniture has also been reconfigured to create a bright, clean and unified style. In addition, electronic display panels have been installed, and fixed dining tables and mobile seats have been reconfigured to better meet the needs of diners. As for the design, district characteristics of Aberdeen have been integrated, with a feature wall inspired by the ocean and waves installed at the dining area, and fishing vessel-modelled decorations featured on both sides of the escalators. Moreover, the electrical and mechanical equipment and building services installations of the cooked food centre have been renewed, the restrooms have been renovated and the main entrances of the market building have also been beautified to offer members of the public a new upgraded experience when visiting the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremonyincluded the Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan; the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Mr Yang Wing-kit; and Legislative Council Members Ms Judy Chan, Mr Chan Hok-fung and Mr Jonathan Leung. They were joined by other attending guests including Southern District Council members and representatives from government departments.
The FEHD will continue to advance other market development projects to keep public markets abreast with the times to meet public needs.
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority
The Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) mounted a joint anti-illegal worker operation for two consecutive days,yesterday (July 27) and today (July 28) to combat illegal workers providing tourist guide and photo-taking services in Hong Kong. Two Mainland visitors, who were suspected illegal workers, were arrested.
As there have been suspected illegal workers utilising social media platforms to advertise tour guide and photo-taking services in Hong Kong, the ImmD and the TIA initiated an operation. Officers disguised as customers enquired about and booked services from the suspects. The suspects were subsequently arrested while providing such services in Hong Kong. The arrested illegal workers were women, aged 22 and 31. The ImmD will consider prosecution against them for the offence of breaching conditions of stay.
The ImmD and the TIA have also deployed officers to distribute leaflets to the public and visitors at tourist hotspots, conveying the message of "Don't employ illegal tour escort or tourist guides".
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 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, emailanti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form atwww.immd.gov.hk.
Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two persons arrested during joint anti-illegal worker operation by Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
