An Indonesian illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 13).
 
      During a joint operation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Powerplayer" on August 6, enforcement officers raided a restaurant in Wan Chai. A female Indonesian illegal worker, aged 28, was arrested. When intercepted she was washing dishes. Upon identity checking she produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits her from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that she was a non-refoulement claimant. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was arrested and the 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 screening on 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Committee will hold an open meeting during the week from 17 September 2018 to 21 September 2018 in the LegCo Complex.  Details of the meeting are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo  Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (September 14) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
      
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 21 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: https://www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf
 

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 14) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for August dropped to 7.3 per cent from 15.7 per cent in July.  Though there was a decrease in the ovitrap index, the mosquito infestation was still slightly more extensive in the areas surveyed. Coupled with the 29 local dengue fever (DF) cases recorded so far, the FEHD reminded the public to remain vigilant and keep up effective prevention and control measures against mosquitoes, as well as to take personal protective measures to reduce the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases through mosquito bites.
      
     "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and Zika virus. In view of the 29 local DF cases recorded in Hong Kong since mid-August, and that the weather in Hong Kong remains hot and rainy even though autumn has arrived, which is favourable for the breeding of mosquitoes, as well as DF is still highly prevalent in neighbouring areas, the public must stay alert and work with the Government to continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.
      
     Among the 57 areas surveyed last month, only the Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) in Yau Tong (34.7 per cent) exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for August also dropped to 2.2 per cent from 2.7 per cent in July.
      
     The spokesman said, "The FEHD is very concerned about mosquito problems. In response to the local DF cases, the FEHD commenced the third phase of the territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign from mid-August and has enhanced the territory-wide all-out anti-mosquito operations to concentrate on killing adult mosquitoes with a view to reducing the risk of the spread of DF. During the period, relevant departments and the Hospital Authority have also carried out the all-out anti-mosquito operations in areas under their purview, including conducting fogging operations in the scrubby areas within 200-metre radius of the residences every week to kill adult mosquitoes; carrying out inspection of venues, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers every week to prevent mosquito breeding; and trimming of grass to remove the potential habitat of adult mosquitoes and facilitate mosquito control work. The decrease in August’s monthly index showed that we started seeing the results of the aforementioned operations."
      
     In addition, an inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in the area with the AOI reaching the alert level of 20 per cent for co-ordinating relevant departments and stakeholders to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. Relevant departments have individually notified the groups that had voluntarily subscribed to the ovitrap rapid alert system in that area. Subscribers have been invited to post specially designed alert notices in the common parts of their premises to urge occupants and staff to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures promptly.
      
     The FEHD has also swiftly handled mosquito complaints and taken out prosecutions against mosquito breeding under the relevant ordinance. The FEHD set up four Pest Control Inspection Teams in May last year to step up inspection of construction sites and enforcement action against mosquito breeding. This year (as at September 9), the FEHD had instituted 155 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), comprising 147 cases involving construction sites and eight cases involving other premises.
      
     The spokesman added, "In order to keep the public abreast of the latest situation of mosquito infestation and facilitate them to take timely mosquito prevention and control measures, the FEHD has released additional AOI for Aedes albopictus at two more stages starting from September, apart from the announcement of the monthly AOI and the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus. The FEHD will follow the established practice of notifying relevant government departments of the aforementioned indices so that they can carry out targeted mosquito prevention and control work promptly to strengthen the anti-mosquito efforts."
      
     The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito prevention and control work covering areas under their purview, and strengthen publicity and education campaigns, including closely liaising with local organisations and widely disseminating anti-mosquito messages through their community network. In addition, the district offices of the FEHD will target areas which have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites to intensify mosquito prevention and control work. The FEHD will, immediately after each phase of the campaign, conduct special territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign.
      
     As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the spokesman reminded members of the public to continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
      
     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should follow appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to the government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.
      
     The ovitrap index is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (< 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent – < 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent – < 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (>/= 40 per cent) indicates that almost half of the surveyed area is infested with the mosquito. The Government will step up the scale of anti-mosquito operations according to the level of infestation as well as reports from front-line staff and the public.
      
     As Aedes albopictus can transmit DF and Zika virus, oviposition traps are set in 57 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is only one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activity of Aedes albopictus outside the 57 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.
      
     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (September 14) the September 2018 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled "Analysis on Full-time and Part-time Employment, 2007 to 2017" and "Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2007 to 2017". Statistics presented in the "Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2007 to 2017" article are based on the data source from the Social Welfare Department.

"Analysis on Full-time and Part-time Employment, 2007 to 2017"

     During 2007 to 2017, the number of part-time employed persons registered a higher growth rate than that of full-time employed persons, thus part-time employment accounted for an increasing share of total employment. This feature article provides an analysis on the profiles of full-time and part-time employed persons of Hong Kong over this period, using information obtained from the General Household Survey.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section, C&SD (Tel: 2887 5208; email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2007 to 2017"

     According to the data source from the Social Welfare Department, the total number of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases has decreased gradually at an average rate of 2.1% per annum in the past decade. The number of cases fell from nearly 290 000 as at the end of 2007 to about 230 000 as at the end of 2017. Larger extents of decrease were noted in low-earnings cases (-12.8%) and unemployment cases (-9.0%). There were 336 681 CSSA recipients as at the end of 2017, representing a drop of 32.2% when compared with that as at the end of 2007.

     This feature article describes the major changes in the number of CSSA cases and recipients during the period from 2007 to 2017.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Research and Statistics Section, Social Welfare Department (Tel: 2892 5225; email: rsenq@swd.gov.hk).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp460.jsp?productCode=B1010002).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Services Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).