Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Kwun Tong today (August 9) in which a 52-year-old man died.      At about 7.06am, two private cars driven respectively by a 52-year-old man s… read more

     A Vietnamese illegal worker was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (August 8).
           
     During operation “Twilight” on August 6, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a food stall in Yuen Long. A female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 54, was arrested. When intercepted, she was working as a dish washer. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was also arrested and an investigation is ongoing.

     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration, or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
      
     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases.
            
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. 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. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
            
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screenings 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) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase, and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels since yesterday (August 8). According to the EPD’s forecast, it is expected that the AQHI at some general and roadside air monitoring stations may reach the “Serious” level later today (August 9), and that the AQHI may also remain higher than normal tomorrow (August 10).

     As continuously influenced by the outer subsiding air of Super Typhoon Lekima, the weather in Hong Kong today is fine, very hot with haze during the day, with west force 3 to 4. Higher than normal levels of ozone and particulates have been recorded in the territory since this morning. Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutant concentrations. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of the urban areas and at the roadside.

     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a southwesterly airstream is expected to bring showers to the south China coast early to middle next week. It is expected that pollution levels will be improved by then.

     With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on the health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.

     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or call the hotline 2827 8541. read more

     Cantonese opera artists Loong Koon-tin, Nam Fung and Tse Hue-ying will perform in a new production entitled “Tempestuous Love” in September and October.
 
     The concept of “Tempestuous Love” is initiated by Nam and Tse writes the story, while Loong is the artistic instructor. Local Cantonese opera artists including Yuen Siu-fai, Liu Kwok-sum, Lai Yiu-wai (only on September 23 and 24) and Wan Yuk-yu (only on October 6) will also perform. Details are as follows:
 
7.30pm, September 23 and 24 (Monday and Tuesday)
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
Tickets: $120, $200, $280 and $380
 
7.30pm, October 6 (Sunday)
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
Tickets: $120, $220 and $340
 
     The story centres on Yu Xuanji, a gifted young poet who admires her teacher Wen Tingyun for his scholastic talent. Due to their age disparity, however, they cannot love each other. Later Yu marries Li Yi as his concubine, and lives in a Taoist nunnery, where she adopts a girl called Luqiao.
 
     Ten years pass. Yu wallows in sensual pleasures and meets a well-known young musician named Chen Wei at a party. Chen comes to visit Yu one day when she falls ill. He discerns her illness as one of lovesickness, and when Chen stays for the night, Luqiao accidentally witnesses the adultery.
 
     The 15-year-old Luqiao performs a dance to many guests’ applause in a ceremony. Yu sadly feels that she has passed her prime. Wen returns and proposes to marry Yu, but she declines. After revealing love affairs between her beloved Chen and Luqiao, tragedy ensues.
 
     “Tempestuous Love” is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_853.html.
 
     Two performance-related talks will be held at 7.30pm on August 26 (Monday) and at 7.30pm on September 25 (Wednesday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Loong Koon-tin, Nam Fung, Tse Hue-ying and Ko Yun-hung. The talks will be held in Cantonese. Admission is free. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. read more

     The Government announced today (August 9) that the Financial Secretary, in exercise of the authority delegated to him by the Chief Executive under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap 485) (MPFSO), has appointed … read more