End
(d)
(ii)
(iii)
23
A territory-wide publicity campaign against illegal employment was launched. Posters and APIs were prepared to send out a clear message to employers not to employ illegal workers.
Since March 1996, information leaflets were distributed to Two- way Permit holders at immigration control points to alert them to the fact that it is an offence for them to take up employment, to establish or join in any business, to study or overstay, and that they would be prosecuted and repatriated if they commit any immigration offence.
(iv) With effect from January 1996, the maximum fines have been increased from $5,000 to $50,000 for any person taking up illegal employment, and, for employers of such illegal workers, from $250,000 to $350,000.
(v)
Immigration Department will include the details of blatant offenders, whether of PRC origin or otherwise, in a stop-list to prevent them from coming to Hong Kong again.
Close and regular liaison is maintained with the Chinese authorities with a view to curbing illegal activities and abuses of the Two-way Permit system.
The liaison between the Police and the PRC law-enforcement agencies is done at both bilateral meetings and in the course of routine liaison through Interpol.
The Immigration Department and the relevant PRC authorities also exchange information on a regular basis. Information concerning blatant overstayers from China has also been passed to the Chinese side for their follow-up actions. The response from the Chinese authorities has been very positive. This is evidenced by their ready assistance to verify doubtful identities, confirmation of acceptance of persons to be repatriated, tightened control at their control points, and so on. We also understand that they have tightened up the issue of Two-way Permits to blatant offenders.