GF 323
CONFIDENTIAL #
機密
-3-
Number of Illegals on the Increase
5.
A Hong Kong Traveller returning from a visit to Haifeng County, said that in recent months the number of illegals escaping from Haifeng into Hong Kong has increased dramatically. The reasons are said to be because escapees want to reach Hong Kong to obtain forged identity cards from syndicates. They then hope to earn enough money, and quickly, to enable them to build houses for their families. By doing so, their families will not be looked down upon by families living on overseas remittances. Many escapees feel that even if they are unable to obtain a forged identity card, they will still be able to work illegally. There is still the belief that there will be an amnesty sooner or later.
Change in Emigration Policy
6.
A staff member employed by the Guangzhou Municipality Vegetables Corporation said that in June 1982 a directive was issued by the State Council to all state-owned and collective- owned enterprises in the county. It said that with effect from October 1982, all workers granted permission to visit relatives overseas need not apply to their respective working units for either resignation or retirement during the first three months of their travels. During this period their jobs will be held open and their salaries can be collected by their relatives on the mainland. However, if the workers do not return to China upon the expiry of their permits, their pen- sions or gratuities will authomatically be forfeited. The previous practice was to claim back pensions or gratuities after their working units had been informed in writing of their intention to remain in Hong Kong, Macau or a foreign county.
7.
An actor with the Fo Gang Opera Troup in Fogang County said that in October 1982, following the visit of British Prime Minister Thatcher, China tightened the emigra- tion policy. The emigration quota has now been reduced from 150 to 100 per day. As a result, most applications for single journey travel permits have either been refused or
/changed
CONFIDENTIAL
機密