Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
43 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo)
During operation “Silver Wing”, ImmD officers raided 10 target locations, including restaurants and a laundry factory. Seventeen suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 10 men and seven women, aged 21 to 49. Among the arrestees, two were visitors, while the remaining 15 were imported workers who were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at a non-contractual workplace or by performing duties that were not stipulated in the contract. Two men, aged 33 and 50, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
During a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed “Lightshadow”, investigators raided 102 target locations, and a total of three suspected illegal workers were arrested for allegedly engaging in food delivery work. The three arrested suspected illegal workers are non-ethnic Chinese males, aged 31 to 42, who were non-refoulement claimants holding recognizance forms that prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong.
During other anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers targeted different industries and raided multiple locations including renovation flats, a leather repair store, warehouses and restaurants etc. Fourteen suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and eight women, aged 22 to 62. Among them, a woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three Hong Kong female residents, aged 62 to 88, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
Investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
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. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an 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 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.”
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, 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.hkIssued at HKT 19:07
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Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po commences work
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:
The Chairman of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (the Committee), Mr Justice David Lok, convened the first meeting today (December 19) with members Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen. The Committee has formally commenced work.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee include examining the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, construction safety and related issues concerning building maintenance and renovation works, as well as the systemic problems related to the tendering process of large-scale building maintenance and renovation works. The scope is wide and issues to be covered are complex and wide-ranging. At the meeting, the Committee discussed the priority of work and the preparation of a work plan. Mr Justice Lok reiterated that the Committee will do its utmost in discharging its duties, aiming to complete its work within nine months and submit a report to the Chief Executive. The report and recommendations will be disclosed to the public (except for information involving judicial proceedings).
The Chief Executive established the Committee on December 12, appointing Mr Justice Lok as the Chairman and Mr Chan and Dr Auyeung as members to review the causes and related issues of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
Statistics on persons engaged and vacancies for September 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics on persons engaged and vacancies for September 2025
Persons engaged statistics
In September 2025, the selected industries as a whole engaged 2 710 200 persons. The import and export trade engaged 342 700 persons, followed by professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) engaging 314 800 persons, financing and insurance 238 500 persons, retail trade 230 000 persons, and food and beverage services 217 500 persons.
Movements in the number of persons engaged in different surveyed industries varied when compared with a year earlier. Increases were mainly observed in the industries of human health services (3.6% or 5 700 persons), financing and insurance (3.5% or 8 000 persons), and manufacturing (2.1% or 1 600 persons). On the other hand, the number of persons engaged decreased mainly in the industries of construction sites (manual workers only) (-6.2% or -7 600 persons), import and export trade (-3.7% or -13 000 persons), retail trade (-3.0% or -7 100 persons), and cleaning and similar services (-2.6% or -2 200 persons). Number of persons engaged for selected major industries are shown in Table 1.
Vacancies statistics
Among the 51 450 private sector vacancies in September 2025, 5 860 were from the industry of financing and insurance, 5 260 from education, 5 120 from professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services), 4 830 from human health services, and 4 230 from residential care and social work services.
Vacancies decreased in majority of the selected industries in September 2025 over a year earlier. Decreases were mainly observed in the industries of transportation, storage, postal and courier services (-2 260 or -45%), food and beverage services (-1 820 or -33%), human health services (-1 760 or -27%), and arts, entertainment, recreation and other services (-1 620 or -38%). On the other hand, vacancies increased in the industries of financing and insurance (860 or 17%), and information and communications (260 or 11%). Job vacancies figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 2.
Analysed by major occupation category, private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of service and sales workers (16 920 vacancies), professionals (9 580 vacancies), and associate professionals (9 340 vacancies). Job vacancies figures by major occupation category are shown in Table 3.
Seasonally adjusted statistics
For discerning the latest trend in the number of persons engaged and vacancies in the private sector, it is useful to look at changes over a three-month period in the respective seasonally adjusted figures. Compared with June 2025, the seasonally adjusted total number of persons engaged and total vacancies in the surveyed industries increased by 0.2% and decreased by 1.7% respectively in September 2025. The changes over three-month periods in the seasonally adjusted series of persons engaged and vacancies are shown in Table 4.
Other information
The above statistics on persons engaged and vacancies were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD. In the former survey, some economic activities (e.g. those dominated by self-employment, including taxi operators and hawkers) are not covered. Therefore, the respective figures for persons engaged and vacancies relate only to those selected industries included in the survey. In the latter survey on construction sites, the number of persons engaged and vacancies relate to manual workers only.
A detailed breakdown of the above statistics is published in the following reports:
“Quarterly Report of Persons Engaged and Vacancies Statistics, September 2025” (formerly known as “Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics”)
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050003&scode=452″Quarterly Report of Manual Workers and Vacancies at Construction Sites, September 2025″ (formerly known as “Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies at Construction Sites”)
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050004&scode=452
Users can browse and download these publications at the website of the C&SD.
Enquiries on more detailed statistics on persons engaged and vacancies can be directed to the Employment Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5076 or email: employment@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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Immigration Department repatriates 77 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations codenamed “Shield” for five consecutive days from December 15 to today (December 19). A total of 77 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to their places of origin. The persons removed comprised 38 men and 39 women. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
Depending on circumstances and needs, the ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process and actively maintain close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.
Statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for third quarter 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for third quarter 2025
The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.
According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 25.08 million by the end of Q3/2025. The figure represents a 10.0 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 23.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 382.61 million for Q3/2025, representing a 6.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 16.3 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$285.6 billion for Q3/2025, representing a 6.4 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 14.8 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. Of the total transaction value, HK$173.3 billion (60.7 per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$103.1 billion (36.1 per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$9.1 billion (3.2 per cent) in cash advances.
The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments decreased by 9.6 per cent to 52.31 million while the total value decreased by 5.6 per cent to HK$62.7 billion in Q3/2025. When compared to the same period in 2024, the total number decreased by 3.2 per cent and the total value dropped by 8.3 per cent in Q3/2025.
Note 1: The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (“the card operators”). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.
Note 2: A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders’ bank accounts.
Note 3: The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.
Note 4: The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Import of poultry meat and products from Calvados Department in France suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 19) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Calvados Department in France, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from France in the first nine months of this year.
“The CFS has contacted the French authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
HKMA Quarterly Bulletin (December 2025 Issue)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA Quarterly Bulletin (December 2025 Issue)
Starting from 2026, the Quarterly Bulletin will be renamed as the Bulletin. It will be published as needed to provide regular updates (e.g. banking sector developments) and discuss topical matters. The HKMA will also continue to flexibly use various publications, including inSight, Research Memorandum, and Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report, to share the latest information relating to the HKMA’s work.
The Bulletin will continue to be available on the HKMA websiteIssued at HKT 16:30
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EIA report for Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area approved with conditions
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced, regarding the application submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), that the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday (December 18) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Development at Ngau Tam Mei Area (the Project) with conditions.
The Project is a designated project (DP) under Schedule 3 of the EIAO (i.e. an urban development or redevelopment project covering an area of more than 50 hectares). It includes two DPs under Schedule 2 of the EIAO requiring an environmental permit for its construction and operation, including the new distributor roads and part of the revitalisation of the Ngau Tam Mei Drainage Channel (NTMDC) and river diversion works.
The CEDD has exhibited the EIA report for public inspection from October 6 to November 4, 2025, in accordance with the EIAO. During the public inspection period, the EPD received a total of seven public comments. The EIA Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) discussed in detail the EIA report and the public comments at its meeting on December 5, 2025. Subsequently, the ACE unanimously recommended that the EPD approved the EIA report with conditions and recommendations at its meeting on December 11, 2025.
A spokesperson for the EPD said that the DEP considers that, through the implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report, the Project will bring multiple environmental benefits to the area. These include addressing the existing adverse environmental impacts caused by scattered and disorganised brownfield operations within the project area, thereby enhancing land-use efficiency and improving the overall environmental quality of the district. Furthermore, by widening and revitalising the NTMDC into a multifunctional blue-green spine, the ecological value and function of the project area and its surroundings can be enhanced. In addition, through wetland compensation connecting nearby isolated wetlands, the Project will increase the overall ecological value of the area.
The spokesperson stressed that the EPD has thoroughly considered the requirements of the EIA Study Brief and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process, comments on the environment and ecological impacts raised by the public during the public inspection period of the EIA report, suggestions and data given by green groups in respect of the EIA report (including the State of Hong Kong Biodiversity 2025 published by the WWF-Hong Kong), and the response from the CEDD during the ACE meeting, as well as comments and recommended conditions raised by the ACE on approving the EIA report. The EPD decided to approve the EIA report with conditions.
The approval conditions mainly include requiring the CEDD to:
(i) submit a detailed Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) as recommended in the EIA report to the DEP for approval no later than three months before the commencement of construction of the Project, and consult the Agricultural, fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);
(ii) submit an Implementation Plan for Ecological Enhancement Features Design (IPEEFD) for the NTMDC to the DEP for approval no later than three months before commencement of construction of the Project, and consult relevant government departments, including the AFCD, the Drainage Services Department, and the Planning Department;
(iii) set up an Environmental Committee to provide professional and stakeholders’ advice on the preparation of HCMP and IPEEFD, and on the effectiveness of the ecological mitigation/enhancement measures as recommended in the EIA report and the two approved abovementioned plans; and
(iv) submit a Bird-Friendly Design Guideline for buildings and noise barriers within the Project area to the DEP for approval before commencement of construction of the Project.
In addition, the CEDD shall review the progress of the implementation of various plans, the environmental monitoring results, and the effectiveness of ecological mitigation/enhancement measures. The EPD will continue to closely liaise with relevant government departments to follow up on the abovementioned approval conditions.
The approved EIA report and the approval conditions have been uploaded to the EPD’s EIAO website (www.epd.gov.hk/eia). Members of the public may also visit the EIAO Register Office at 27th floor, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, to inspect these documents.
Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I just said, the Government has acted according to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) section 31 to apply to the Lands Tribunal today to submit an application to dissolve the owners’ corporation committee and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited which is a subsidiary of Chinachem Group as the administrator to handle all the day to day operation of the management committee. This action will only help the owners of the Wang Fuk Court to handle various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance. Hop On Management Company has already stated that they will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and the Nina Wang Charity Trustees has agreed to contribute five million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court. We try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court handle all the complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.
Reporter: Could you please detail the roles of the existing owners’ corporation and the upcoming property manager? Does it include a fire safety? What will you do with the existing property manager? As at this point, do you think it is responsible for the fire safety?
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I said, the Hop On Management Company will serve those Wang Fuk Court owners on a pro bono basis and provide them with professional property management services. This act will help the owners to get professional assistance when they decide how to execute or how to make a decision for Wang Fuk Court. The existing management committee and the property management company, as far as we know, the existing contract with the property management company will end by the end of this month. No matter whether they will extend the contract or not, we see that there will be a need for Wang Fuk Court owners to get professional assistance from a professional property management company. We think this is a way to help residents and owners of Wang Fuk Court.Issued at HKT 20:33
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Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Third “Extension Notice” published under Extension of Government Leases Ordinance
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau said, “The arrangement of extending land leases without having to execute a new contract under the Ordinance brings tremendous convenience to the public and businesses, effectively enhances the confidence of property owners and investors in the real estate market, and has received widespread support from various sectors of the community. The mechanism manifests the solid safeguards for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the steadfast and successful implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”Issued at HKT 18:43
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