Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed “Contribute” from June 10 to yesterday (June 16). During the operation, ImmD officers raided multiple target renovation units, including a newly inhabited housing estate, industrial buildings, retail shops and village houses. Fifteen suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers were 15 men, aged 30 to 56. They were found engaging in cementing, cleaning, demolition, electrical wiring, furniture installation and painting. Among them, a man was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Five men, aged 36 to 60, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     Apart from the enforcement operation, a promotional vehicle and ImmD officers have been deployed to distribute leaflets to the public in the housing estate and convey the message “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers”.

     ​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 stressed 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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led the publishing and printing industries to participate in the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) held from today (June 17) to June 21 at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing, and once again set up the Hong Kong Pavilion. Through a dialogue between literature and the city, the pavilion aims to showcase the cultural richness and unique charm of Hong Kong.
 
     This year’s Hong Kong Pavilion features over 600 locally published books, cultural and creative items produced by Hong Kong printers, as well as precious manuscripts and items of famed Chinese literature writers, showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural inheritance and innovation. The pavilion also introduced a new virtual reality zone themed “Hong Kong Literary Strolls”, tracing a distinctive “Hong Kong literary trail” and offering visitors an immersive experience of the charm of Hong Kong literature.
 
     The BIBF is the largest national and the second-largest international book fair in the world. The Hong Kong Pavilion was presented by CCIDA, with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association as joint implementation organisations. Supporting organisations include the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, the Hong Kong Professionals (Beijing) Association and the Bauhinia Culture Plaza. Through the themed exhibition zone, recommendation zone, Hong Kong picture books zone and business matching zone, the Hong Kong Pavilion aims to help Hong Kong’s publishing and printing industries explore business opportunities while promoting Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.
 
     For more information on the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BIBF, please visit www.hkbibf.com.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government Flying Service (GFS) held the opening ceremony of the three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) today (June 17). The symposium brought together more than 230 policymakers, relevant experts and academics, and industry players at home and abroad to jointly explore the latest developments and future directions in aeromedical services and emergency response. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were also signed to strengthen co-operation and exchanges among the participating parties, reflecting the status of Hong Kong as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia.

At the ceremony held at the Kai Tak Sports Park, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, said that the challenges of emergency response as a result of the realities of climate change are evolving at an unprecedented pace. A shift to proactive prevention, continuous enhancement of international and cross-regional collaboration, and enhanced experience and insight sharing among stakeholders are key to rising to new and complex challenges. He also expressed that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS will forge stronger partnerships, further strengthen emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities. 

The inaugural ISERAS in Hong Kong is being held from June 16 to 18. It brought together more than 230 government officials, policymakers, experts and academics, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organisations from places including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. It aims to foster closer co-operation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions.

In his opening remarks, the Controller of GFS, Mr Eddie Liu, said that ISERAS has gathered aeromedical experts from around the world to engage in exchanges on the latest developments in the relevant fields, with the aim of collectively building a truly transnational pool of professional expertise. He said that since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has served at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations. He believed that the symposium will further enhance personnel training, facilitate technical exchange and expand professional networks. 

The Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (CRS), Mr Wang Lei, also attended the symposium and delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea. The symposium also featured plenary sessions and panel discussions among experts on strengthening interagency collaboration for unified emergency and disaster response, the role of aeromedical services in disaster response and associated risk management, and enhancing aeromedical services through advanced technology and innovation.

Following the ceremony, the GFS signed MOUs with CRS, Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine, OutReach Rescue of the United Kingdom and LifeFlight of Australia respectively, to deepen collaboration with the Chinese Mainland, domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions, further enhancing the GFS’ personnel and technology exchanges while expanding the scope and platforms of professional training.

Tomorrow (June 18), the symposium will feature an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session, with the participation of the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong’s professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with Vice President of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Mr Wang Daping today (June 17) to exchange views on healthcare co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and to explore further strengthening collaboration. 

     Professor Lo welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC for its support in promoting exchange and co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Professor Lo said, “Hong Kong and Shenzhen enjoy close geographical and cultural ties, maintaining close and regular exchanges in healthcare. This meeting provided a meaningful platform for both sides to further exchange views on future co-operation plans across areas such as healthcare services, health and medical innovation and talent development.”

     At the meeting, Professor Lo introduced the characteristics and strengths of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, including healthcare standards that are on par with international practices, research and clinical trial capabilities, as well as various initiatives rolled out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to facilitate cross-boundary access to healthcare services for Hong Kong residents. The two sides also engaged in extensive exchanges on issues such as how to further leverage their complementary strengths and deepen healthcare co-operation to benefit residents in both places. 

     Professor Lo said, “The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen healthcare exchange and co-operation with Shenzhen under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefit and on the premise of benefitting the healthcare development of the two places, with a view to enhancing the standards of healthcare services across the region through concerted efforts. We will fully leverage Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, and jointly contribute with Shenzhen to propelling the important national strategy of ‘Healthy China’ and building a ‘Healthy Bay Area’.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Lam Chun-sing and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):
 
Question:
 
     The Government has introduced the Technical Professionals (TP) Stream under the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) with effect from June 30, 2025, allowing eligible non-degree professionals to apply for entry into Hong Kong to engage in eight specific skilled trades. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the respective numbers of applications received, approved and refused, to date, in respect of new industrialisation technicians under the TP Stream of the GEP and the ASMTP, with a breakdown by the scope of work involved as declared (i.e. smart/automated manufacturing and robotics engineering, mechanical engineering/mechatronics engineering, biomedical engineering and microelectronics engineering); among the aforesaid approved applications, the distribution of the applicants by age and monthly remuneration;  
President,
 
     As Hong Kong is facing an ageing workforce and a lack of new entrants, some skilled trades needed to sustain Hong Kong’s city operation are also facing acute talent succession gaps. To address these challenges, in addition to continuing to strengthen the training for the local workforce, the Government has also introduced a new channel under the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (New Arrangement) from June 30, 2025, to allow non-degree mid-level professionals aged under 40 with qualifications and experience as specified in the Technical Professional List to apply to come to Hong Kong to undertake designated jobs, and attract them to settle in Hong Kong in the long run. The New Arrangement covers eight specified skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage, including new industrialisation technicians, nurses, aircraft maintenance technicians, marine services technicians (for local vessels), information technology technicians, lift/escalator technicians, building information modeling coordinators and electrical technicians.
 
     In consultation with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Transport and Logistics Bureau, and the Immigration Department (ImmD), the reply to the Member’s question is as follows: 
     The ImmD does not maintain the statistics mentioned in the question.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Kingsley Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):

Question:

The Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP) aims to provide families in need of support with flexible day child care services at the neighbourhood level through two modes, namely the home-based child care service (HCCS) provided by home-based child carers (HCCs), and centre-based care groups (CCGs). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the detailed income and expenditure of NSCCP in each of the past three years, including the total expenditure on overall services, the expenditure on the incentive payment for HCCs, and the respective income from HCCS and CCGs;

(2) of the number of HCCs and the number of children served under NSCCP in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by District Council district;

(3) of the average monthly service hours of HCCs, and the average monthly number of hours of services received by the children served, under NSCCP in 2025-2026;

(4) as there are views that even though the incentive payment for HCCs has been increased to $40 and $60 per hour depending on the child’s age and learning needs with effect from April 2024, the effectiveness in encouraging members of the public to apply to become HCCs remains insufficient, whether the authorities will consider providing an “incentive payment for proactive service” or other cash incentives to HCCs whose service hours exceed a certain number of hours per month; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(5) as there are views that the provision of adequate funding for child care services is crucial for boosting the labour force, whether the authorities will consider the introduction of professional HCCs in addition to volunteer services, with a view to helping women and the silver-haired group enter the workforce, as well as strengthening the force of HCCs to help unleash the labour force of families; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(6) as it is learnt that the residences of HCCs are required to pass a home assessment, such as being required to have soft rubber pads and safety guards installed at cabinet corners and door gaps to protect young children, whether the authorities have provided any financial assistance to HCCs for the installation of such equipment; if so, of the form and/or amount of the financial assistance; if not, whether consideration will be given to providing such financial assistance?

Reply:

President,

Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Kingsley Wong is as follows:

(1) The expenditure on the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP) in the past three years is tabulated as follows:
 

Year	Expenditure ($ million)
2023-24 (Actual)	88.0
2024-25 (Actual)(Note)	222.7
2025-26 (Revised estimate)	237.8

Note: In 2024-25, the Government increased the incentive payment for home-based child carers, the number of service places and the expenditure for home-based child carer training, hence the overall expenditure on the service increased.

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) provides subvention to non-governmental organisations under the Lump Sum Grant subvention mode to cover the required service operating costs, including staff salaries, costs for recruiting and training home-based child carers, incentive payments, service promotion costs, and subsidies for service fee waiving/reductions. 

Subject to compliance with the service agreements, service operators can flexibly deploy the funding to meet the required service output and outcome standards. Moreover, parents may apply directly to service operators for service according to their needs, and the respective service operators will handle the applications and collect the fees. Therefore, the SWD does not maintain the breakdown of the amount of individual income and expenditure items as mentioned in the question.

(2) and (3) The number of home-based child carers and the number of children served in the past three years with a breakdown by District Council districts is set out at Annex. The SWD does not have information on the average monthly service hours of home-based child carers and children served.

(4) and (5) The NSCCP is a mutual help project which aims to provide parents in need with flexible day child care services at the neighbourhood level apart from the regular child care services while promoting mutual help and care within the community.

Home-based child carers provide child care services to parents in need in the spirit of caring for others. The incentive payments they receive are intended to express the Government’s appreciation and recognition of their contributions. Taking into consideration of the service nature, demand and supply situation, as well as to address the districts’ demand for day child care services, the SWD has increased the incentive payment for home-based child carers since April 2024. The rate has increased to $60 per hour for carers of infants and young children aged zero to under three or children with special educational needs, and $40 per hour for carers of other children. Increasing the incentive payment helps to attract and encourage more people to become home-based child carers. The Government welcomes women, elderly and middle-aged individuals to become home-based child carers.

To ensure service quality of the NSCCP and to balance service demand, the SWD stipulates that each home-based child carer may care for a maximum of three children aged at or below primary school level (including the home-based child carer’s own children) at any one time, as well as one child aged under three or a child with special educational needs, so as to ensure the quality of care provided to the children.

(6) The service operators will assess whether the home environment of a home-based child carer is suitable for providing care services for young children. If necessary, the operators will suggest improvements and provide the home-based child carer with relevant protective supplies to ensure a safe and suitable home environment for taking care of young children.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region