Author Archives: hksar gov

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok was located.      Leung Shau-cheung, aged 87, went missing after he left his residence on Argyle Street on November 7 afternoon. His family made a report to Po… read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex today (November 9): Reporter: (On the Mallet case) … sparks concerns abo… read more

     World-class circus artists will perform in the 5th China International Circus Festival – Hong Kong performance next Tuesday (November 13) from 2pm to 3.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, featuring exciting acrobatics and entertaining circus acts. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis (some seats will be reserved for registered schools). 
 
     Circus performers from the Philippines, Argentina, Ukraine, Taiwan, Russia and Kenya will demonstrate thrilling techniques and breathtaking movements with comic effects. The programme will include acrobatic formations and juggling, diabolo performances with street dance, funny clown acts, rope-skipping, magic performances, drum dance performances, band performances, interactive games and more.
 
     The 5th China International Circus Festival – Hong Kong performance is co-presented by the Executive Committee of the China International Circus Festival and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and organised by the Zhuhai Culture Sports and Tourism Bureau and Guangdong Chimelong Group Co Ltd, with the support of the Department of Publicity, Culture and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
 
     For programme enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/otherspecialprogrammes/cicf2018.html.
 

        

     An Indian illegal worker was jailed at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (November 8).
      
     Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators received a referral from the Hong Kong Police Force to further investigate an illegal employment case in September. Enforcement officers arrested a male Indian worker, aged 23, who was found conveying vegetables in Tseung Kwan O. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.  

     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. He 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 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

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (November 9) announced that the department collected 10 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in October 2018 for laboratory tests. The results showed that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.

     The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/sgi/lpg_smpl_analysis.shtml). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.

     In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements. read more