The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", for four consecutive days from May 27 to yesterday (May 30). A total of nine suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers, and two overstayers were arrested.
 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 16 target locations including premises under renovation, residential flats and restaurants. Six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer, and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and two women, aged 42 to 60. Among them, one woman was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. In addition, two women were also suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards. One man, aged 58, who was suspected of employing the illegal worker, was arrested. One female overstayer, aged 31, was also arrested.

     During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 86 target locations in Eastern, Hung Hom and Kowloon City districts. Three suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three women, aged 30 to 51. Two woman, aged 42 and 47, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were arrested. One male overstayer, aged 56, was also arrested. Among them, two suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one overstayer were handled by the ImmD.

     An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
 
     The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is 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. 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 upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."
 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. 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. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of 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 ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats 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 or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level.

     A spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office announced today (May 31) the appointment of Mr John Tse Chun-chung as the Information Co-ordinator with effect from June 1.

     The Information Co-ordinator is responsible for formulating news, public relations and media strategies and co-ordinating the timetable for introducing major policies and programmes; maintaining communication with the media; liaising closely with the Director of Information Services and bureau press officers to ensure effective implementation of the media and public relations strategies for major policies; monitoring public and media feedback and online public sentiment; and helping to plan and implement programmes of public functions involving media interactions for the Chief Executive.

     Mr Tse joined the Government in 1999 and has served in various positions in frontline departments and bureaux with years of experience in communication with the media. In the past two years, he has served as the Communications Secretary in the Chief Executive's Office, where he formulated public relations strategies and planned public functions for the Chief Executive, and managed the Chief Executive's social media arrangements, demonstrating outstanding performance.

     The spokesman said they are confident that with his years of experience in public administration, media engagement and public relations, Mr Tse will make remarkable contributions in the position.

  

     The Town Planning Board today (May 31) announced amendments to the approved Kwu Tung South Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involve (i) rezoning a site to the south of Kam Hang Road and east of Hang Tau Road from "Recreation" ("REC") and "Agriculture" to "Residential (Group B)" with stipulation of building height restriction for residential development; and (ii) rezoning a site to the north of Kam Hang Road from "REC" to "Government, Institution or Community (1)" with stipulation of building height restriction for a private residential care home for the elderly.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.

     The draft Kwu Tung South OZP No. S/NE-KTS/21, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, (iv) the North District Office, and (v) the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee.

     Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before July 31. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on "Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations" (TPB PG-No. 29C).

     Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:

* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.

     The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) as well as the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     Copies of the draft Kwu Tung South OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (May 31) published the biannual issue of the Medication Safety Bulletin (MSB). This issue highlights the annual medication safety forum which was held last December, reminding colleagues of the safety tips for using insulin penfill and pre-filled cartridges.
 
     In addition, this latest issue shares the experience of the Hong Kong East Cluster, encouraging healthcare workers to utilise the default drug prescription set in the medicine prescription system, as well as regularly review and update the information in the system.
 
     The publication has already been posted on the HA homepage for sharing with healthcare staff. Members of the public are also welcome to browse its content at the following link: www.ha.org.hk/msb. The MSB is published every six months, during the last week of May and November. The next issue will be published on November 29, 2024.