Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A grocery shop owner was convicted of charge of being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable and was sentenced to imprisonment for two months at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (October 17).

     During a joint operation against illegal workers conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow” on March 13, 2024, officers of the ImmD General Investigation Section raided a grocery shop and arrested one female Indonesian illegal worker, aged 51, who was found working as a shop assistant. The female was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking employment. She was subsequently sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts.
 
     During the operation, the grocery shop owner was arrested for employing illegal worker. The grocery shop owner is a Hong Kong resident, male, aged 57. He is charged of being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable as he did not take all practicable steps to ascertain whether the applicant was lawfully employable prior to employment. After trial, the grocery shop owner was jailed for two months by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today.

     The spokesman of ImmD 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.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Silverwing” and “Rally” , a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Rainbow” and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” from October 10 to yesterday (October 16). A total of 41 suspected illegal workers, eight suspected employers and a suspected aider and abettor were arrested.
 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including construction sites, renovation sites and restaurants etc. Forty-one suspected illegal workers, eight suspected employers and a suspected aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 11 men and 30 women, aged 24 to 58. Among them, a man was holding a recognizance form which prohibits him from taking any employment, and a man was suspected of using and being in possession of Hong Kong identity card which relates to another person. Three men and five women, aged 32 to 62, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The suspected aider and abettor arrested was a women aged 62. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers” leaflets and convey the message to occupants and property management staffs in newly inhabited housing estates.
 
     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. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. 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 any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or a 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 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.
 
     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.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, led a delegation to attend the World Food Forum 2025 held by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on October 13. Representatives joining the visit included the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai.
 
The delegation attended various activities organised by the World Food Forum, and held meetings with the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Agencies in Rome and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
 
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the FAO today (October 17, Rome time) to further strengthen knowledge exchanges between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the FAO, as well as to promote regional co-operation. Witnessed by Miss Wong, the Director-General of the FAO, Dr Qu Dongyu, and others, Mr Lai and the Assistant Director-General of the FAO, Dr Thanawat Tiensin, signed the LOI.
 
The LOI aims to achieve common objectives between the AFCD and the FAO in several areas, including:
 

1. promoting and implementing the One Health approach;
2. preventing and controlling transboundary animal diseases (especially avian influenza and African Swine Fever);
3. Reducing the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM), and promoting research, technology and innovation in agrifood systems; and
4. enhancing capacity development and training in agriculture and aquaculture.

 
In addition, Miss Wong delivered a speech at the partnership dialogue of the Science and Innovation Forum today, introducing the innovative efforts undertaken by the HKSAR Government in support of the One Health principles within the agrifood systems.

​The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the FAO to contribute further to global food security and sustainable development. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The largest-ever Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 (HKFW x SMUF) will be held from November 3 to 7, a strategic alliance marking a decade of innovation while creating an expanded platform dedicated to all facets of technology and business impacts, Invest Hong Kong announced today.

The joint celebration underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to the digital economy, leveraging its position as a leading international financial centre and thriving startup hub.

The event is expected to attract over 37,000 attendees, more than 800 leading speakers and over 700 exhibitors from more than 100 economies, with the main conference to take place on November 3 to 4 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, InvestHK said.

The event participants will include startup founders, investors, and pioneers from sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, green tech, health tech, proptech, and more.

Noting that theme of FinTech Week is “Curating the New Fintech Era”, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Government will work closely with financial regulators and the fintech industry to build Hong Kong as an ideal destination for embracing fintech so as to establish sustainable fintech solutions that drive the global economy forward.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau supplemented that startups are an important part of any economy, and that behind every startup, there must be an innovative business idea.

“Hong Kong is just the right place not only for startups to be created, but also for them to grow to scale.”

He noted that the number of startups in the city has increased from about 1,600 in the past decade to around 4,700 last year, which is a result of the pro-startup measures taken by the Government over the years.

Shortlisted Global Fast Track programme semi-finalist companies from seven verticals will be invited to the semi-finals and grand finale to pitch in person onstage during HKFW x SMUF, providing an opportunity for innovators to showcase their solutions in front of thousands of attendees, including key corporates, investors, service providers and communities seeking innovative fintech and other tech solutions and investment opportunities.

Additionally, appointed event organiser Finoverse will introduce its first AI community host “Samantha” at HKFW x SMUF. Through conducting a five-minute live call, Samantha can connect users to targeted meetings and craft personalised forum itineraries according to users’ interests and objectives, leveraging a database of 11 forums by a proprietary AI algorithm for precise matches.

Click here for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Information Services Department, in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), has produced a mini-drama to enhance public awareness of the War of Resistance on the Chinese Mainland and in Hong Kong.

Victory in War of Resistance, consisting of five episodes, tells the story of a group of young guerrillas defending their homeland during the fall of Hong Kong.

To enhance authenticity, the production team referenced a wealth of historical photographs, utilising computer-generated effects and artificial intelligence technology to colourise black-and-white historical photos, integrating them into the drama.

Each episode concludes with a “History Insight” segment comprising historical facts to enable audiences to build accurate historical knowledge and perspectives, and deepen their appreciation and respect for history.

Victory in War of Resistance has been uploaded onto the webpage of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Starting today, the series will be broadcast at 9.30pm on RTHK TV 31 for five consecutive nights.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 2025 final register for the Rural Representative Election (RRE) was published today (October 17). The final register contains the particulars of the registered electors of Existing Villages, Indigenous Villages, Composite Indigenous Villages and Market Towns. Registered electors may log into the RRE Voter Registration Information Enquiry System through the RRE website (www.had.gov.hk/rre) for perusal of their own registration particulars. They may also call the RRE hotline at 2152 1521 during ordinary business hours for enquiries about the relevant information.

A full copy of the final register is placed at the office of the Electoral Registration Officer located at the Home Affairs Department (HAD), 30/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Copies of the specific divisions of the final register for Rural Areas that belong to the Rural Committees concerned are placed at the offices of the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers in the respective New Territories District Offices (NTDOs), the office addresses of which are set out on the RRE website. Pursuant to section 30 of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Registration of Electors) (Rural Representative Election) Regulation (Cap. 541K), specified persons including members of the press (meaning persons who subscribe to the Government News and Media Information System maintained by the Director of Information Services), political parties (i.e. political bodies/organisations that meet the specified requirements under the Regulation), Heung Yee Kuk, respective Rural Committees for the relevant Rural Areas, indigenous inhabitants of the relevant Indigenous Villages or Composite Indigenous Villages, as well as residents of the relevant Existing Villages or Market Towns can inspect the aforementioned final register of electors for purposes relating to the RRE, by making an appointment through the RRE hotline or the relevant NTDOs during ordinary business hours starting from today.

The ordinary business hours of the HAD and NTDOs in respect of the above matter are from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except general holidays).

Statistical information about the final register is available on the RRE website.

For enquiries, please visit the RRE website or call the RRE hotline.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for Beijing this afternoon (October 17) to attend the 2025 Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference tomorrow (October 18).

The 2025 Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference will be hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The theme for this year is “Driving Green Development Together”, aligning with the core agenda of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference will focus on the achievements of the Green Silk Road building, building of platforms for exchange and co-operation in green finance, green and low-carbon development, as well as green technology and innovation, which aims to facilitate the integration of green industries with technologies.

Mr Tse will speak at the opening ceremony of the conference and share Hong Kong’s experiences in green innovation with the Belt and Road counterparts so as to deepen exchange and co-operation. The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, will also join the visit.

Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening. During his absence, the post of the Secretary for Environment and Ecology will be taken up by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government declared by notice in the Gazette today (October 17) the existence of a vacant ex officio member seat in the Islands District Council.

The ex officio member, Mr Chow Yuk-tong, passed away on September 28, 2025. Pursuant to section 19A(1)(a) of the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547), his office has become vacant.