A Vietnamese illegal worker was jailed by Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (July 25).

     During operation "Twilight" on July 23, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Tai Wai. A female Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 35, was arrested. When intercepted, she was washing dishes. Upon identity checking, she produced for inspection a Vietnamese passport. Further investigation revealed that she was an illegal immigrant. In addition, she was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged identity card. 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. 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 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.

     Following is the opening speech by the Acting Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung, at the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems (APAS) R&D Centre Showcase 2018 today (July 26):

Willy (Chairman of the HKPC, Mr Willy Lin), Mohamed (Executive Director of the HKPC, Mr Mohamed Din Butt), Lawrence (Chief Executive Officer of the HKPC APAS R&D Centre, Dr Lawrence Cheung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. I am pleased to be here today to join the APAS R&D Centre Showcase 2018.

     The Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre was established with funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) in 2006. Since then, the APAS has been striving to promote and co-ordinate applied research in key area of automotive parts technology, and work closely with the industry to encourage investment in local R&D and drive commercialisation of R&D results. All these are meant to build a vibrant I&T ecosystem and connect the Government, industry, academia and research sectors for technology collaboration.

     The APAS has been committed in providing technical support to enterprises interested in entering the automotive parts industry, and supporting small and medium enterprises in developing technologies for electric vehicle industry. Since its establishment, APAS has commenced over 120 research projects, involving a total project cost of over $400 million. The amount of industry income for APAS increased by 175% from $9.7 million in 2016-17 to $26.7 million in 2017-18, demonstrating its growing support from the industry.

     To complement the efforts of R&D centres, the Government endeavours to create a favourable environment for R&D centres. Take a few new moves as examples, a five-year pilot Technology Talent Scheme will be introduced this quarter. Under this Scheme, a Postdoctoral Hub programme will provide funding support to ITF recipients, including R&D Centres, to recruit up to two postdoctoral talent for R&D work. Furthermore, the Legislative Council Finance Committee just approved our proposal to allow R&D Centres to retain their commercialisation income for use in more strategic activities, such as technology and market analyses, infrastructure building, staff development or experimental projects. We hope that this will further incentivise commercialisation of R&D results.

     Throughout the years, the APAS contributed significantly to I&T development in Hong Kong through nurturing research talent and winning international recognition for their innovations.  The event today is a good occasion for APAS to showcase its R&D deliverables to the industry, partners and other stakeholders, and collect their views on future development of APAS.  Through today's fruitful exchanges with experts and industry leaders on the latest market needs and development, APAS will surely be able to develop strategies that can provide even better support for the industry’s sustainable development and global competitiveness.

     I wish the event a great success. Thank you.

     Hongkong Post announced today (July 26) the release of a stamp sheetlet, "World Heritage in China Series No. 7: Temple of Heaven", together with associated philatelic products, on August 10 (Friday).
 
     Hongkong Post has been issuing stamp sheetlets in its World Heritage in China Series since 2012 to showcase the charm and beauty of the precious natural and cultural locations in our country that have been inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. To date, China has more than 50 world heritage sites.
 
     The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, officially listed as a world heritage site in 1998, is featured in Stamp Sheetlet No. 7 of the World Heritage in China Series. Covering an area of 273 hectares, the Temple of Heaven was originally the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped and offered sacrifices to heaven. First built in 1420, the Temple of Heaven underwent continued expansion, and was finally completed during the Qianlong period in the Qing dynasty.
 
     The stamp sheetlet depicts the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the focal point of the Temple of Heaven. Measuring 32 metres in diameter and 38 metres in height, the Hall is the largest surviving ancient round wooden structure in Beijing. A close-up of its caisson ceiling adorned with dragons and phoenixes is shown in the top right-hand corner of the stamp sheetlet, highlighting its exquisite craftsmanship and regal splendour. Printed on the bottom right is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the place where the memorial tablets used in the rituals at the Circular Mound Altar were kept. The conical roof of the Vault is covered with blue glazed tiles and crowned with a gilded sphere, lending a touch of dazzling glamour.
 
     Official First Day Covers at $1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from tomorrow (July 27). The stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to August 2.
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

    

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 26) will be cancelled.

     A licensee of an employment agency (EA) was convicted and fined $8,000 at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (July 25) for overcharging a foreign domestic helper (FDH).​

     In March 2017, the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the Labour Department (LD) received a complaint by a FDH against My Friends Service Limited (My Friend) (located in Tsuen Wan) for overcharging her an excessive amount of commission. With the FDH concerned agreeing to assist in the investigation which revealed sufficient evidence, LD took out prosecution against the agency.

     â€‹According to the law, EAs are not allowed to collect from job seekers any fees or charges other than the prescribed commission, which is set at no more than 10 per cent of the latter's first month's salary upon successful placement.

     â€‹My Friend is the third EA being convicted of overcharging this year. Two other EAs named Quality Consultants Agency (located in Tsim Sha Tsui) and Familia Employment Agency (located in Tai Po) were convicted of overcharging FDHs an excessive amount of commission.

     â€‹LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law as well as the Code of Practice for Employment Agencies at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and possible revocation of licences. The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 enacted on February 9 this year has also raised the penalty for the offence of overcharging job-seekers to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment of 3 years.

     â€‹For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation, on overcharging job seekers' commission by EAs or concerning the Code, please call the EAA of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.