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Author Archives: hksar gov

Twelve immigration offenders arrested

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including an operation codenamed “Twilight”, and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed “Champion” from November 12 to 15. A total of nine illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested.
      
     During operation “Twilight”, ImmD Task Force officers raided 21 target locations including commercial buildings, a dog shelter, a farm, residential flats, restaurants and a shopping mall. Eight illegal workers and two employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised five men and three women, aged 34 to 58. Among them, a woman was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. In addition, two women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Meanwhile, one man and one woman, aged 36 and 45, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
      
     In addition, during operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided four target locations in Sha Tin including a shop and restaurants. A female illegal worker, aged 39, was arrested. Meanwhile, one woman, aged 50, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and she was also arrested.
      
     “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him 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,” an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman warned that it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
      
     The 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 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 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) 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 threat 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 interference, 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

East Asia

Update on number of dengue fever cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 16) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From November 9 to 15, the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), Guangdong in Mainland China (one case), the Philippines (one case) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (November 15), 145 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 116 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (33), Mainland China (25) and the Philippines (18). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 73 679 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 539 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 165 in Japan. In Taiwan, 176 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 218 337 and 62 404 cases have been filed in Brazil and Mexico respectively in 2018.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

  • Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
  • Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
  • Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
  • Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
  • Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
  • Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
  • Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 
  • Read the label instructions carefully first;
  • Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
  • Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
  • Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
  • Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
  • Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.
 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details. read more

East Asia