Author Archives: hksar gov

     Two illegal workers comprising one Vietnamese and one Indian were jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (December 30).

     During operation “Twilight” conducted on November 18, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a laundry company in Tuen Mun. A male Indian illegal worker, aged 31, was arrested while working as an odd job worker. 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, during an anti-illegal worker operation conducted on December 27, ImmD investigators raided a restaurant in Tsuen Wan. A male Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 34, was arrested while working as a dishwasher. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was also arrested and an investigation is ongoing.

     The two 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 each sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. In addition, the male Vietnamese was charged with one count of using a forged Hong Kong identity card. He was 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. Under the prevailing laws, 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 intervention, 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 Transport Department (TD) today (December 31) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island to facilitate the holding of a public procession tomorrow (January 1).

     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:

Road closures
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1. From about 1.30pm, the roads in the vicinity of the Causeway Bay shopping area (such as Sugar Street and Great George Street) will be closed;

2. From about 2pm, the roads in the vicinity from Victoria Park to Wan Chai (such as Causeway Road westbound, Yee Wo Street westbound and Hennessy Road westbound) will be closed; and

3. From about 3.30pm, the roads in the vicinity from Admiralty to Central (such as Queensway westbound and the section of Des Voeux Road Central between Pedder Street and Queensway) will be closed.

Public transport services
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     A total of 92 bus routes and 14 green minibus routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, one bus and one green minibus route will be temporarily suspended. In addition, the tram services between Tong Shui Road and Pedder Street will be suspended.

     Due to extensive road closures in the affected areas, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the vicinity of the Island Eastern Corridor) as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to be patient in case of traffic congestion when driving in the vicinity, follow the Police’s instructions and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.

     Members of the public are advised to use public transport services, in particular railway and ferry services, and avoid driving to the affected or congested areas, especially in the vicinity of Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central, unless necessary. Early planning of journeys and use of alternative travel routes are advised to avoid unexpected delay. The public transport operators will display notices to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements for route diversions and suspension and relocation of stops. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures as necessary. 

     For details on the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can call 1823 or browse the TD’s mobile application “HKeMobility” or website (www.td.gov.hk). read more

Attention radio/TV announcers:      Please broadcast the following at suitable intervals:      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department reminds people to keep places clean tonight (December 31) while ce… read more

     With the approach of the Year of the Rat, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 31) commenced a three-week year-end clean-up campaign across the territory.
          
     “To tie in with the tradition of cleaning up before the Lunar New Year, the annual year-end clean-up campaign is being conducted from today to January 20 next year to call for public support and efforts to maintain cleanliness in the household, the community and public places to welcome the coming Lunar New Year,” an FEHD spokesman said.
          
     During the campaign, the FEHD will step up the cleaning of public facilities under the department’s management including public markets, cooked food centres, hawker bazaars, public toilets and refuse collection points. Cleaning of problematic sites of illegal refuse dumping and other public cleanliness offences will also be enhanced in all districts. In addition, the FEHD will conduct mosquito and rodent prevention and control operations targeting places such as old tenement buildings, streets, rear lanes, village houses and construction sites, according to each district’s circumstances. Temporary junk collection points will be set up for residents to discard large items of household waste.
          
     The spokesman also reminded operators of food premises to pay attention to hygiene conditions on their premises and urged holders of hawker stalls to clean up their stalls.
          
     “To ensure the cleanliness of public places, we will strengthen enforcement actions and issue fixed penalty notices to offenders in breach of the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance for littering, spitting, illegal posting of bills or posters, feeding of pigeons or other feral birds causing dirtiness to public places, and dog fouling,” the spokesman said.
          
     The spokesman added that maintaining a clean and hygienic community hinges on the co-operation and participation of everyone. He called for the concerted efforts of every member of the public to maintain environmental hygiene and enjoy a clean environment in the Year of the Rat.

  

     “Four Decades of Artistry Brought Together on One Stage” featuring two classic repertories – “The Sword of the Valiant” and “Death of a Loyal Warrior” – will be presented in February by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
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     The story of “The Sword of the Valiant” takes place during the mid-Ming dynasty. The fatuous Emperor causes suffering to his people. The minister who holds sway over state affairs, Meng Kui, colludes with Japanese pirates, while a righteous man called Xun Ru happens to know that Meng will be passing through Huainan and plots to assassinate him. Xun knows that the patriotic Long family have an heirloom, a sword with a hidden blade, which could help him succeed. Dowager Long sends her grandson Jialie to bring the sword and be the assassin. She also urges him to be ready to die if he fails.
 
     Jialie’s sister, Jiajie, is worried about her younger brother going on this deadly mission alone. She dresses as a man and trails him in order to protect him. Jialie manages to get close to Meng but despite wielding the special sword, he fails to kill Meng. Jialie is driven off a cliff. At the news of the death, Jiajie hurries to the camp, where an ambush is waiting. During the fight, Jiajie’s pendant is lost, while Meng recognises the Long family’s treasure. Later, on Dowager Long’s birthday, Meng presents her with a box containing the head of her son. Meng claims that Jialie tried to assassinate him on the evidence of the jade pendant. The Dowager replies that he has stolen it to incriminate them. Meng gives the Long family five days to surrender, otherwise the whole family will be punished by death.
　　 
     Performing will be Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Liu Kwok-sum, Wan Yuk-yu, Chor Ling-yan, Pui Chun-hin, Lung Ting-sang, Sze Yuen-ying and Ho Yuen-sze. “The Sword of the Valiant” will be staged at 7.30pm on February 4 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall; and at 7.30pm on February 17 (Monday) at the Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. Tickets are priced from $140 to $380.
 
     The story of “Death of a Loyal Warrior” takes place during the Ming dynasty. The Emperor is facing serious troubles within his empire and abroad. The frontier is guarded by the patriotic family of Marshal Zhong Yujun, whose elder son Xiaoquan is talented in both literary and martial arts, and has been ordered to embark on an expedition. In the meantime, the father of the Emperor’s consort slanders Xiaoquan before the Emperor. Xiaoquan is thus summoned by the Emperor, and is subject to military discipline if he defies the order. While everyone is in disarray, the consort’s father arrives with a golden token from the Emperor, threatening to execute the entire Zhong family if Xiaoquan does not return to the court immediately. Xiaoquan has no choice but to follow the order. 
 
     Deceived by rumours, the Emperor dismisses Xiaoquan from his position. Xiaoquan’s father also falls into the villianous trap, believing that the ruthlessness of his son has triggered an enemy invasion. He strikes Xiaoquan in anger with his sabre, wanting to execute him. At the same time, the consort’s father arrives with a royal decree and announces that Xiaoquan is to be executed. Despite coming back with the proof of the consort’s father’s treason, it is already too late for Xiaoyi to rescue his twin brother Xiaoquan, who has been executed by the consort’s father. To avenge his brother, Xiaoyi wields his sabre and kills the villain on the spot.
 
     Performing will be Wai Chun-fai, Pui Chun-hin, Chong Yuen-sin, Chor Ling-yan, Lung Ting-sang, Kwong Tsz-wong, Liu Kwok-sum, Wan Yuk-yu, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze, Ng Lap-hei and Kwok Chun-hang. “Death of a Loyal Warrior” will be staged at 7.30pm on February 18 (Tuesday) at the Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. Tickets are priced from $140 to $320.
 
     Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_940.html.
 
     There will be talks (to be conducted in Cantonese) with free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-Performance Talk
January 13 (Monday) 7.30pm
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Mak Wai-man, Liu Kwok-sum, Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Chor Ling-yan, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze and Lung Ting-sang
 
Post-Performance Talk
March 10 (Tuesday) 7.30pm
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Mak Wai-man, Liu Kwok-sum, Wai Chun-fai, Chong Yuen-sin, Pui Chun-hin, Chor Ling-yan, Sze Yuen-ying, Ho Yuen-sze and Lung Ting-sang read more