11 arrested in anti-illegal worker operations

Immigration is stepping up anti illegal work operations ahead of the Lunar New Year

Territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations conducted on Jan. 13 to 16 resulted in the arrest of 11 people, the Immigration Department (ImmD) reported today, Jan. 17.

The eight suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers were arrested in a series of operations codenamed "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", on Jan. 13 to 16. 

In their operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided five target locations, including premises under renovation and restaurants. Two two men, both aged 37, were arrested for illegal work.

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During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 54 target locations in Eastern and Western districts and arrested six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers. 

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men and three women, aged 28 to 59. One woman, aged 53, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and was also arrested. 

The arrested overstayers comprised two women, aged 42 and 44. One of the overstayers was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Among them, six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one overstayer were handled by the ImmD.

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Immigration reiterated its warning: "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."

An Immigration spokesman added that those who employ people not lawfully employable face stiffer penalties. 

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"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," he said.

Jobless Pinoy faces 7-month wait for plea

 

Stolen laptop lands Filipino in jail 

A jobless Filipino accused of entering a shop inside a mall in Tai Kok Tsui and stealing a laptop computer will have to wait almost seven months in jail before he can plead guilty or not at the District Court.

Salvador Bermejo, 30, faces a robbery charge for entering a furniture store in Olympian City 2 on July 24, 2024 and stealing its computer valued at $8,400.

Chief District Judge Justin Ko adjourned his case to Aug. 29 for plea.

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Under the Theft Ordinance, which he was accused of violating, burglary is punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

Bermejo has been in detention since his arrest in July and consequent appearances at West Kowloon Court, which elevated the case because robbery was beyond its jurisdiction.

The complaint filed by police cites a section in the Theft Ordinance that defines burglary as entering any building as a trespasser and steals or attempts to steal anything or attempts to inflict on any person any grievous bodily harm.

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Bermejo has been in trouble with the law in recent years.

On July 28, 2022, at Eastern Court he was ordered arrested after he failed to show up on his sentencing at the Eastern Court, after earlier pleading guilty to stealing a pair of shoes from a flat in Wanchai on April 1, 2022.

When he finally showed up in court on Aug. 11, he ended up being sent to the Drug Abuse Treatment Center after blood tests showed he had meth in his blood, and told to pay the owner of the shoes $3,300 over nine months.

Magistrate Jason Wan, who handled the case, also noted that Bermejo has had two earlier drug convictions.

Local and migrant artists team up to raise funds for Bethune House

 

Poster for the collaborative art exhibit which opens today

For the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, the work to keep raising funds for the shelter’s upkeep and its clients’ financial needs never ends.

Just a few weeks after reporting that they had met their target of raising HK$1 million by the end of last year and thanking all their generous donors who made it happen, Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio is again overseeing another charity event to ensure the shelter remains afloat.

Three art-related events captioned “Togetherness: Two Pillars, One Shelter” have been lined up by Edwina’s team to what they describe as “an opportunity to celebrate art, community and compassion while supporting migrant workers who play a vital role in Hong Kong society.”

Edwina (3rd from left) and The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap (seated next to her)
meet the Goroy family, who are among Bethune House's generous donors

The “Bethune House Fundraiser Auction 2025” will be kick-started tonight, Jan 16, with a  VIP Preview and Private Tour of an exhibit that features about 30 works by local artists such as Frog King as well as those by members of Guhit Kulay, a migrant artists’ collective.

The preview will be held at the ground floor of No 33 Wyndham Street in Central, from 6:30 t0 8:30pm.

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On Jan 19, Sunday, “Kitchen Day” hosted by Bethune House residents, Lo Lai Lai and Yip Kai Chun, will be held from 1pm to 4pm at the same venue.

The event to be held over lunch is meant to introduce the local and migrant artists whose works are being exhibited, and as a channel for cultural collaboration among the various people from diverse ethnic backgrounds who are supporting Bethune House.

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Rounding up the festivities is a Live Auction Cocktail on Feb. 7, from 6pm-9pm. Four exclusive artworks will be put up for auction, with the proceeds going to Bethune House.

In the meantime, a silent auction for the 30 artworks carefully selected and curated for the exhibit begins today, and will continue until midnight of Feb. 9. To view the items and bid, click on this link: https://hk.givergy.com/bethunehouse/?controller=home

DH cleared of theft after spending 2 months in jail

 

Estate where theft was allegedly committed (Google Maps photo)

A domestic helper was acquitted today of stealing $6,000 from her employer, on the first day of her trial at Kwun Tong Court -- but only after spending more than two months in jail awaiting justice.

Magistrate Lau Suk-han declared that Jucy Marquez, 43 years old, had no case to answer after listening to prosecution testimony accusing her of stealing the money from her employer, Wong Chi-hang, at his flat in Pak Shek Terrace in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung, between the 1st and 20th of October this year.

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Marquez had been detained since November after her offers of $1,000 and $2,000 cash bail during two hearings were rejected, and she did not apply for bail during a hearing last Dec. 4 when she pleaded not guilty to violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

A police complaint alleged that she was charged after the money was found in her purse, but she denied putting it there and asked for fingerprints to be taken to see if she touched the bills.

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Among other issues raised by the defense was that the house had multiple occupants, including the girlfriend of one family member, and that before the theft charges were filed against her, Marquez had complained to her employer that she lost one mobile phone and $1,000 from her wallet.

DH gets 12 months’ jail for taking abortion drug

 

The abortion happened in one of the flats in this estate (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for 12 months today after she pleaded guilty at Shatin Court to taking a drug to induce her own abortion.

T. A., 35 years old, was also jailed for two months for having in her possession an abortion pill, but the two sentences were made to run at the same time by Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong.

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A police complaint said T.A. “unlawfully administered to (her)self a poison or other noxious thing, namely misprostol, with intent to procure (her) own miscarriage” at her employer’s house in The Palazzo in Fo Tan last April 6, in violation of the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance.

Under this law, abortion is illegal unless (1) the continuation of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life, physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or (2) the unborn child would be severely handicapped due to physical or mental abnormality.

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The law also requires that assessment of any of these conditions would have to be made by two doctors, and the legal abortion can only be done at designated clinics or hospitals.

She was also charged with possession of Part 1 poison after a tablet containing  misprostol was found in her possession on April 6, at her employer’s house, in violation of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

In an earlier hearing, T.A. was reminded not to talk to her employer, after she said she went to his house to take her things.

Chum said one of the terms of her $2,000 bail was not to talk to her employer.

“Do not do that again, otherwise bail will be cancelled,” he added.

(Pregnant migrant workers who need guidance and information about their rights may consult with PathFinders Hong Kong, a non-government organization that assists migrant women and their children. Click on their website here for more information on what they do, and how they can reached: https://www.pathfinders.org.hk/ )

Phl warns against online offers of call center jobs abroad

 

The Department of Migrant Workers has warned against call center jobs in other countries offered on social media, which often require an immediate departure from the Philippines.

According to a DMW post on Facebook, those who take up the fake job offers are sent by syndicates to Thailand, Singapore or Vietnam as tourists, before being taken to nearby Cambodia, Myanmar or Laos to work as scammers.

Recently, Nigeria appears to have been added to the list of places favored by illegal recruiters of Filipinos.

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A separate advisory said a group of Filipinos has been arrested in Abuja and Lagos recently over allegations of cybercrime, economic sabotage and violations of Nigerian immigration laws.

It turned out the Filipinos were recruited to travel to Nigeria from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on tourist visas, and were made to believe that they would be issued work permits on arrival in Nigeria.

In truth, the Nigerian government does not allow the conversion of tourist visas to work permits. Filipinos who wish to work there are required to first secure a Subject to Regularization visa from the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines.

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The DMW advises the public to first verify the job offers made to them online, and to remain cautious to avoid falling victim to illegal recruiters.

They should also resist any attempts to involve them in third-country deployment as this is not only illegal under Philippine laws, it could also leave them easy targets for crime syndicates.

Those who wish to report to DMW any possible illegal recruitment offer may send an email to airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or on its Facebook page: DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program.

2 Filipinas detained for theft, breach of deportation order

 

Two Filipinas accused of being pickpockets before the Eastern Court were returned to jail today after the prosecutor asked for an adjournment pending further inquiries and for legal advice.

Jan-Ann Benlot, 30 years old, and Rebecca Quirante, 67, were remanded until the next hearing on Feb. 25 since they had no bail application.

Both face three theft charges, plus an additional charge of breach of deportation order for Quirante.

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“See you again,” Principal Magistrate Don So told them as they walked out of the courtroom.

In the first charge, Benlot and Quirante were accused of stealing a wallet containing $2,000 and 80 Chinese yuan on Nov. 10 last year at the ground floor of the Emperor Watch & Jewellery Centre on Russel St., Causeway Bay.

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For the second charge, they were accused of stealing a wallet containing an Octopus card and $1,500 last Nov. 14 at the first floor of the Yoho Mall in Yuen Long.

Benlot and Quirante allegedly stole a mobile phone that same day on the ground floor of Hung Yick Bldg. on Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, giving rise to the third theft charge.

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An additional charge was filed against Quirante for not leaving on June 9, 1987 and staying despite being the subject of a deportation order and “prohibited from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter,” according to the complaint filed by police.

HK says Thailand to help repatriate trafficked Hongkongers in SEA

 

Security USec Cheuk meets with Thai justice officials in Bangkok

Hong Kong security chief Chris Tang said earlier today that senior Thai officials have promised to do their best to help ensure the safe return of some 12 Hongkongers who were reportedly forced to do illegal work in Southeast Asia.

The SAR has so far received 28 requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents who claimed to have been detained in the region, but 16 have already returned to the city.

The remaining 12 reported being restricted in their movements but were safe, and could remain in touch with a task force set up by the government to help them.

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The task force, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk, left for Bangkok yesterday to meet with Thai government officials and representatives of the Chinese embassy.

Thailand’s help is being sought as it often serves as the jump-off point for workers recruited from different Asian countries including the Philippines, to work illegally in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and other nearby areas.

Last month, 27 Filipinos were repatriated from Phnom Penh, Cambodia after being rescued from traffickers who forced them to work as love scammers between late 2022 and early 2023.

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Twelve of the 27 departed the country illegally via boat from Zamboanga, while the remaining 14 left as tourists who claimed they were traveling abroad for a holiday. One left as a documented overseas Filipino worker but was supposedly bound for Palau and not Cambodia.

The rescued Filipinos said they were made to scam elderly men living in the United Kingdom. Some said they were abused and tortured in their workplace, and were later sold by their Chinese employers to another company.

Another 13 pregnant Filipino women hired to serve as surrogate mothers were also repatriated from Cambodia on Dec. 29, after being charged and sentenced to four years in prison for working with syndicates offering babies for sale to foreigners.

The women were released early after receiving royal pardon.

In the case of the 28 Hongkongers, Secretary Tang told reporters that not one of them was abducted.

However, all were forced to do illegal work and were not allowed to leave their workplace freely.

Members of Hong Kong’s task force have so far met with representatives of Thailand’s justice ministry, and were assured that the government would do its utmost to help with the safe return of the Hong Kong captives.

The task force comprises officials from the Security Bureau, as well as police and the Immigration Department.

Before leaving Hong Kong, Cheuk told reporters the traffickers are using new methods to lure victims to countries where they operate, like asking people to help bring packages to Japan or Taiwan, but then changing the destination to a Southeast Asian country at the last minute.

The Security Bureau called on the public to be wary of responding to online job offers which are too good to be true, like those that offer high pay but do not require any work experience or  academic qualification.

 

Lesson learned: Don’t use employer’s things

 

Monterey development in Tseung Kwan O 

Do not use anything owned by your employer, or you may end up being accused of stealing.

A Filipina domestic helper learned this lesson today when she appeared at Kwun Tong Court, accused of two counts of theft – one for stealing a face mask worth $30 and a hair conditioner worth $30; the other for stealing hair conditioner for $30.

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In the end, A. Delon, 36, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Magistrate Pang Leung-ting, to two weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months for each charge. This means she will not have to serve her sentence if she does not reoffend in the next one and a half years.

Instead of a total of $90, the supposed value of what she stole, Delon was told to compensate her former employer, Chen Tianyan, for $30.

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The offenses were committed on Sept. 14 and 15, 2024 at Chen’s flat in Monterey on Tong Chun St. in Tseung Kwan O.

Migrants oppose 15% SSS contribution for 2025

 

Unifil-Migrante protesting against the higher SSS contributions in 2018

Militant organizations, including United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong, have slammed the increase to 15% of monthly premium contributions to the Social Security System of Filipino workers in the private sector, including those who are abroad.

In line with Republic Act (RA) No 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 passed under the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the premium contributions were raised to 12% of the workers’ monthly salary in 2019 (from the previous 11%), and would gradually increase, reaching 15% by 2025.

The total monthly premium is supposed to be shared by employers and employees, but OFWs who have been categorized as self-employed, are required to shoulder the total amount. This would mean a monthly contribution of P5,280 for each, if their salary is beyond the P35,000 ceiling set under the SSS charter.

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In practice, however, those who are overseas are not compelled to pay – at least, for now – the adjusted monthly premiums, so most still pay the lowest contribution of P960 per month. But since this pegs the OFWs’ monthly salary at only Php8,000, the benefits that will accrue to the member would also be minimal.

Unifil-Migrante, as well as its affiliate party-list group Bayan Muna, have slammed the higher contribution rate, calling it an additional burden to workers already struggling with multiple price increases at the start of 2024.

Former Bayan Muna party-list representative Carlos Zarate had harsher words for the mandated increase, calling it “sadistic” and “savage” during a Facebook live interview by Migrante Hong Kong last Thursday.

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Zarate said that unfortunately the amended SSS charter had already passed into law, so the only legal way to stop its further implementation is by way of legislative amendment.

But what makes the higher contribution fees even more unconscionable, according to him, is SSS’ act of passing on its failure to collect billions of pesos from employers who failed to pay their share of the premiums, or remit the money they had already collected from their employees, to members.

Zarate said the uncollected employers’ share of membership premiums amount to more than Php86 billion, while the unremitted employees’ contributions total Php92.4 billion.

On top of these, he said SSS has failed to collect a total of Php84.55 billion in loans.

Even if only  a portion of these amounts is collected, SSS could very well meet its target of raising Php51.5 billion this year, he said.

Zarate also hit out at the fat salaries and allowances paid by SSS to its top brass, which often put them among the highest paid officials in government-owned and controlled corporations.

Another former Bayan Muna Congressman, Neri Colmenares, slammed the failure of SSS to pay an additional P1,000 in monthly pension to senior citizens, which was ordered by former President Duterte in 2016.

"Ang kapal ng mukha ng SSS na magtaas ng contribution rate habang hindi pa nga naibibigay ang pangakong dagdag-pensyon. Para sa SSS board, mas mahalaga pa ang fund life ng SSS at ang matataas nilang sahod at perks kaysa sa buhay ng mga miyembro nito na pinanggagalingan naman ng pondo ng ahensya,” said Colmenares, who authored the Php2,000 pension increase.

(The nerve of SSS to raise the contribution rate when it has failed to pay the promised additional pension. For the SSS board members, the fund life of SSS and their high salaries and perks are more important than the lives of members from where the agency’s fund comes from).

Colmenares called for the immediate suspension of the new SSS contribution rates, citing the agency’s failure to improve the efficiency of its collection.

 

 

Flu season begins; public urged to take precautions

 

Photo credit: CHP

Hong Kong has entered the flu season and with one unvaccinated four-year-old child hospitalized with severe flu complications, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has raised the alarm that more than 160 schools have refused to join the government’s in-campus vaccination program.

“We actually listed out all the schools in November last year for the first time. It is the fact which I think should be available to the public,” Professor Lo said.

“If the parents are not aware that their schools are not offering the program, they would not be aware of the fact that they would need to bring their kids to private clinics, or whatever facilities, to arrange vaccinations for their own kid(s),” he said.

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“Vaccinations are the most protective way in preventing serious flu complications, including hospital admission and even deaths,” he added.

Last year saw 35 children suffer from severe flu complications, six of whom died.

For its part, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) also urged elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination.

“The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses,” it added.

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It offered some health pointers to avoid the flu:

• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

 For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/index.html)and Facebook Fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/CentreforHealthProtection/).

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecasts, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/sports/socare/socare.htm).

 

Temperatures to dip to 11 degrees on Sunday

 

Avoid exposure to cold winds so you don't get sick, says the Observatory

Contrary to earlier forecast, the cold snap is not likely to dissipate on Sunday, but it will instead be colder, with temperatures dropping to 11 degrees or even lower in the early morning.

The Hong Kong Observatory also issued frost warnings twice on Saturday, at 7:45 am and 4:30pm, along with the advice for people to dress warmly and ensure proper ventilation indoors.

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Early on Saturday, the temperature plummeted to 11.5 degrees in the urban areas, the lowest this winter season.

Sunday will see temperatures ranging between 11 and 18 degrees on the ground, and several degrees lower over parts of the New Territories and on high ground.

The barometer is forecast to plummet to a frigid 5 degrees Celsius in Ta Kwu Ling, making it the coldest spot in the territory. In other places like Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Shek Kong, a minimum temperature of around 8°C is expected.

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Monday will see a slightly warmer weather, with temperatures ranging between 13 and 18 degrees, before gradually reaching a high of 21 degrees on Wednesday. The rest of the week will be equally cold in the morning, but warm and pleasant in the afternoon.

Residents are urged to dress warmly and minimize exposure to cold winds, especially in the outdoors or on high ground, to avoid adverse health effects.

 

Raids against illegal workers net 7

 

Officers escort some of those arrested.

The government crackdown on illegal work has netted another seven persons in raids all over Hong Kong on Jan 7 to 9.

Of the seven, five were arrested by Immigration Department Task Force officers who raided 30 target locations including commercial buildings, a hair salon and restaurants. 

One of them, aged 36, was a suspected employer. 

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The four arrested for illegal work comprised three men and one woman, aged 31 to 52. Among them, three men were holders of recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. One of the men was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. 

In joint operations between Immigration and the Hong Kong Police Force, enforcement officers raided 46 target locations in Mong Kok district and arrested two women, both aged 48 and overstayers.

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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."

Overstaying tourist jailed 12 weeks

The Filipina pleaded guilty at Shatin court to overstaying 

A Filipina who did not leave when her two-week tourist visa expired and then overstayed for three years and nine months, has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong handed Joelyn Tenorio, 51 years old, the sentence after she pleaded guilty during a hearing on Thursday (Jan. 9) .

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Tenorio had been charged by the Immigration Department with breaching her condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance.

She was given until Oct. 29, 2020 to leave, under a condition of stay set by the Immigration Department when she was permitted to land in Hong Kong.

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However, she did not leave until she was arrested on July 15, 2024.

During the period, she applied for non-refoulement with the Immigration Department to seek protection from being deported.

She had been issued a recognizance form to serve as her identification document,

DH avoids penalty for illegal work

 

Third Street in Sai Wan (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper accused of doing odd jobs in a shop on Third Street in Sai Wan has gotten off lightly, with a bind-over agreement following a hearing at Shatin Court.

G.M. de Yro, 33 years old, had been charged with breaching her condition of stay, which prohibits her from taking up employment other than with her registered employer, in a complaint filed by the Immigration Department on Nov. 28 last year.

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She was charged with violating section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance and Regulation 2 of Immigration Regulations, after she was found in a shop on July 24, 2023, which prescribes a penalty of a maximum fine at level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment for 2 years..

Under the bind-over agreement she agreed to on Thursday (Jan. 9) before Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong, she would be fined $2,000 only if she reoffends within the next 18 months.

A bindover agreement also means there will be no record of the offence, unless the sentence is activated by the accused re-offending  

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With the agreement, prosecutors withdrew the charge. 

They had earlier offered no evidence against her.