13 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Lightshadow", "Twilight", "Contribute", "Rally", "Puncture", a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed "Flabbergast", and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" from September 18 to yesterday (September 24). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, construction sites and warehouses, etc. Twelve suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and three women, aged 33 to 60. Among them, two men and one woman were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. A man aged 38 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was 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."
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.
The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from September 18 to yesterday (September 24). Photo shows investigation officers conducting a sudden raid at a construction site. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from September 18 to yesterday (September 24). Photo shows investigation officers conducting a sudden raid at a construction site. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
UGC Secretary-General visits United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland to promote advantages of "Study in Hong Kong"
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Professor James Tang, led a delegation to the United Kingdom (UK), Austria and Switzerland from September 7 (Glasgow time) to 19 (Zurich time) to proactively promote "Study in Hong Kong" as well as Hong Kong's post-secondary education internationally with a view to driving the city to develop into an international hub for post-secondary education.
Along with the delegation from all eight UGC-funded universities under the aegis of the Heads of Universities Committee's Standing Committee on Internationalisation (HUCOMSCI), Professor Tang attended the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland. With funding support from the UGC, the HUCOMSCI set up a Hong Kong Pavilion and hosted a dinner reception for around 200 representatives of over 130 partner institutions from 32 countries to promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand. The event provided an opportunity to showcase Hong Kong's international and diverse higher education environment and vibrant exchanges and collaborations with partners around the world.
Speaking at a dedicated session during the EAIE Conference and Exhibition, Professor Tang highlighted that Hong Kong, with its outstanding academic achievements, broad international outlook and innovative research capabilities, as well as the city's vibrant and liveable environment, is a most attractive destination for outstanding students and top-tier scholars from around the world to pursue their aspirations there. He also shared the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's vision for the future of Hong Kong's higher education through the promotion of innovative education technology, the implementation of measures to attract and nurture talent, and the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).
Professor Tang said, "The land area and projected population of the Northern Metropolis will account for about one-third of Hong Kong's total. The development of the NMUT is the Government's flagship initiative in consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub and fostering the integrated development of education, technology and talent in support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The UGC fully supports Hong Kong's institutions in leveraging the NMUT as a strategic focal point to expand capacity and enhance quality, and warmly welcomes the international academic community to join hands with Hong Kong universities to take part in these ambitious developments at the NMUT." During the conference, Professor Tang attended bilateral meetings with representatives from 20 organisations of over 10 countries and regions to exchange views on the latest developments in the higher education sector globallyand explore the potential for closer collaboration with institutions from around the world.
Professor Tang then continued his visit, meeting with senior management and leading scholars from prominent higher education and research funding institutions in the UK, Austria and Switzerland to exchange views on the latest development trends in higher education and research. He underscored the worldwide recognition of the remarkable research achievements of Hong Kong's higher education sector and highlighted the support provided by the Research Grants Council under the UGC for world-class and cutting-edge research projects through various funding schemes and working in collaboration with domestic and foreign research funding agencies both nationally and internationally.
The UGC welcomes the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address which have set out a clear direction for the Government's dedication to fostering high-quality development, nurturing talent, advancing research and innovation, and strengthening Hong Kong's distinctive strengths as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent. By harnessing the development opportunities of the NMUT, the UGC will continue to work hand in hand with the eight UGC-funded universities, steadfastly cultivating talent, advancing research excellence, enhancing knowledge transfer, and deepening international engagement and crosssector collaboration.
The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang, attended a luncheon with representatives of Scottish institutions and organisations in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 9 (Glasgow time). Photo shows Professor Tang (first row, centre) with representatives from Hong Kong universities and the Scottish delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang, visited the Vienna University of Economics and Business in Vienna, Austria, on September 17 (Vienna time). Photo shows Professor Tang (right) with the Head of the International Office of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Mr Lukas Hefner (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang, attended the "Study in Hong Kong" dinner reception of the European Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition on September 9 (Glasgow time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Professor James Tang, attended the European Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 9 (Glasgow time), and visited the Hong Kong Pavilion set up with the UGC's funding by the Heads of Universities Committee's Standing Committee on Internationalisation. Photo shows Professor Tang (second row, eighth right) with university representatives participating in the exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
