The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd. on fraud… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), wholly-owned by The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC), announced today (August 10) the first tranche of HKMC Annuity… read more
The second protocol to the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between Hong Kong and New Zealand (CDTA) entered into force yesterday (August 9), a government spokesman said. The seco… read more
Three Pakistani illegal workers holding recognisance forms were jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (August 9).
During operation “Twilight” conducted on July 9, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a construction site in Tsim Sha Tsui. Three male Pakistani illegal workers, aged 22 to 36, were arrested. When intercepted, they were doing construction work. 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. In addition, two of them were also suspected of using and being in possession of identity cards relating to other persons. An employer suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
The three illegal workers were 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. They pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. In addition, two of them were also charged with using identity cards relating to other persons and were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. All sentences are to run concurrently, making a total of 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 also warned that it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or an identity card relating 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 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 (August 10) 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 July 27 to August 9, the CHP recorded four confirmed DF cases. All patients had been to Thailand during the incubation period.
As of yesterday (August 9), 55 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (25), the Philippines (10) and Cambodia (seven).
DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 41 094 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 663 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 73 in Japan. Thirteen local cases have been recorded to date in Taiwan in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicate that 18 837 cases have been filed in Mexico in 2018.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control: