CE congratulates Hong Kong, China Delegation on remarkable achievements at Paris Paralympics
As the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games draws to a close today (September 8, Paris time), the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his congratulations to the Hong Kong, China Delegation on its outstanding achievements, praising the athletes for giving their utmost in the competitions, and showcasing to the world the indomitable Hong Kong spirit and the extraordinary capabilities of Hong Kong athletes with disabilities.
Mr Lee said, "The Hong Kong, China Delegation captured three gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal in this year's Paralympic Games, achieving the best results since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. With unparalleled resilience and determination, every athlete overcame numerous obstacles and persevered through rigorous training to eventually step onto the Paralympic stage and shine brilliantly. Regardless of the results, each of them is a warrior of life, and a hero and role model in the hearts of the people of Hong Kong, making us deeply proud.
"The members of the Hong Kong, China Delegation at this year's Paralympic Games included not only veteran athletes, but also rising stars participating in the Games for the first time. They demonstrated teamwork and supported each other on the field, showcasing exceptional skills and professionalism together, and achieving remarkable results time and again, a truly admirable feat. I express my gratitude to the coaches, medical personnel and support teams for their dedication and meticulous nurturing of the athletes. I also acknowledge the contributions of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC) and various sports associations in promoting the development of the local Paralympic Movement over the years."
Mr Lee said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region fully supports the development of sports for persons with disabilities, noting that the estimated expenditure for the purpose amounts to over $130 million in the current financial year, representing a growth of over 40 per cent compared to that of five years ago. In June last year, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with the HKPC, launched a pilot programme on career and education for athletes with disabilities to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for their post-athletic transformation and career development. More than 140 athletes with disabilities have participated in the programme so far.
16 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Greenlane", "Lightshadow", and "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", for four consecutive days from May 12 to yesterday (May 15). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and two overstayers were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 70 target locations including an exhibition hall, residential buildings and restaurants. Ten suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and four women, aged 27 to 57. Among them, two women were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, one man and one woman were also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card; one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. One man and three women, aged 35 to 61, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 72 target locations in Central, Eastern and Mong Kok districts. Two overstayers were arrested. The arrested overstayers comprised two women, aged 31 and 53.
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 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 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.
16 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
