The Statistics Advisory Board held a meeting today (May 14) to discuss official statistics work and its recent developments. Members noted that the Census and Statistics Department (C&S… read more
The Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, today (May 13, Newport, Rhode Island time) commended skipper David Witt and the members of Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag for continuing the Volvo Ocean Race in honour and memory of their late teammate and friend John Fisher. The team is the first from Hong Kong to enter in the world’s premier offshore race.
Speaking at today’s welcome reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Mr Leung also said that their fortitude and unwavering spirit resonated with Hong Kong’s “can-do” spirit.
He noted that Hong Kong’s natural harbour has contributed to the city’s successful economy. “As a staunch supporter of free trade and open markets, we welcome companies from all corners of the globe to do business in our city,” he said. Hong Kong is now Rhode Island’s fifth largest Asian export market.
The Director of HKETONY, Ms Joanne Chu, expressed the hope that visitors to the Newport race village on Rhode Island would get a chance to experience the vibrant East-meets-West culture of Hong Kong, which is being promoted at the festival booth run by the HKETONY from May 8 to 20.
More than 120 guests attended the reception. Among them were the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, Mr Dan McKee; the Mayor of Newport, Mr Henry Winthrop; the Mayor of Cranston, Mr Allan Fung; the President of the Volvo Ocean Race, Mr Richard Brisius; and the Executive Director of Sail Newport, Mr Brad Read.
Earlier Ms Chu had joined a number of dignitaries to celebrate the opening of the race village on May 8. Among them were the Governor of Rhode Island, Ms Gina Raimondo, and Mayor Winthrop.
A 38-foot-long dragon boat has been set up near the Hong Kong booth for photo-taking in addition to booth games, Chinese arts and craft activities and lion dance performances. Visitors can also take part in a 3D Trick Art Instagram contest.
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, May 14, 2018 is 98.9 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, May 12, 2018 was 99 (same as last Friday’s index). read more
Five illegal workers comprising two Indians, two Vietnamese and a Pakistani holding recognisance forms were jailed at Shatin and Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on May 11 and 12 respectively.
Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators received a referral from the Hong Kong Police Force to further investigate an illegal employment case in July last year. Enforcement officers arrested one male Indian worker, aged 40, disposing of construction waste in Sai Kung. 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.
During operation “Twilight” conducted on January 31, ImmD investigators raided a nail beauty shop in Tsim Sha Tsui. A female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 19, was arrested. When intercepted, she was manicuring nails for a customer. 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.
In addition, during operation “Twilight” conducted on May 8, ImmD investigators raided two residential buildings in To Kwa Wan. One male Indian illegal worker and one male Pakistani illegal worker, aged 38 and 29, were arrested. When intercepted, they were disposing of rubbish. Upon identity checking, they produced for inspection recognisance forms issued by the ImmD, which prohibit them from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that they were non-refoulement claimants.
Furthermore, during an anti-illegal worker operation mounted on May 10, ImmD investigators raided a restaurant in Yuen Long. A male Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 54, was arrested. When intercepted, he was washing dishes. 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. In addition, he was also suspected of using and being in possession of a false instrument.
The five illegal workers were charged at Shatin and Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on May 11 and 12 respectively 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. They were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 months to 22 months and two weeks. In addition, one of them was also charged with using a false instrument and was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment of which part of the sentence is to run consecutively, making a total of 16 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. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 14) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From May 6 to 12, two community-acquired LD cases were reported. Both patients have underlying illnesses.
The first male patient, aged 64, lives in Block B, Green Leaves Garden, 15-17 Yuen Chau Kok Road, Sha Tin District, while the second male patient, aged 61, lives in Choi Yat House, Choi Ha Estate, 18 Choi Ha Road, Kwun Tong District.
“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
As of May 12, 17 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.
“Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should: