XN000022-1995-02-23 — Page 18

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"Furthermore, PRC deckhands cannot be regarded as imported labour since their employment contracts are entered into, and the great majority of their work conducted, outside Hong Kong," he said.

Under the new arrangement, a maximum of 3,500 PRC fisherman deckhands would be allowed to enter Hong Kong for a short stay for operational reason, mainly for helping to unload the catch at the wholesale fish markets.

Vessel operators who are interested should submit a preliminary application for permission to bring in PRC deckhands to the Agriculture and Fisheries Department via the Immigration Department.

Deckhands recruited in connection with this arrangement should hold valid PRC travel documents.

A multiple journey visa valid for one year and good for a stay of up to seven days on each landing would be issued to the successful recruit stipulating that the holder should be engaged solely in the operation of a specified vessel at all times and may travel only between that vessel and not more than two wholesale fish markets named by the vessel operator.

The visa application should be submitted to the Immigration Department.

"The master will be required to report his vessel's arrival and the number of PRC deckhands on board to the Harbour Control Section of the Immigration Department within three hours of arrival and present his deckhand list and their travel documents within 24 hours for immigration clearance," the spokesman said.

"This arrangement will allow Hong Kong-based fishing vessels to proceed directly to the wholesale fish markets with their employed PRC deckhands without going through clearance procedures at the immigration anchorages,

"Similar documentary procedures will be followed on departure," he said.

The spokesman pointed out that Hong Kong- based fishing vessels played an important role in the supply of fresh fish to Hong Kong, accounting for over 60 per cent of the fresh marine fish consumed.