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The Immigration Department today (September 7) announced that it would issue "WX" prefix identity card numbers for foreign domestic helpers and workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme once the "W" prefix numbers were finished.
The department said the change of prefix numbers would not begin until at least the start of the last quarter of 2008.
An Immigration Department spokesman said that there were two types of identity cards. Hong Kong permanent identity cards are issued to permanent residents who are free to take up employment in Hong Kong without any restriction. Hong Kong identity cards are issued to non-permanent residents. At present, all foreign domestic helpers and workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme are issued with identity cards which have a "W" prefix. As the "W" prefix identity card numbers will eventually finish, the Immigration Department will issue "WX" prefix identity cards to newly arrived foreign domestic helpers and workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme possibly in the last quarter of 2008. The "WX" prefix identity card will continue to bear seven digits, including the last bracketed digit. The purpose of using "WX" prefix identity cards is to make the "W" series number unique for all contract workers, whether foreign domestic helpers or workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme. "It will also facilitate law enforcement agencies to readily identify the employment status of contract workers during routine identity checks, and allow prospective employers to verify workers' employability before new jobs are offered," the spokesman said.
"If employers have difficulties in identifying whether a foreign domestic helper or worker under the Supplementary Labour Scheme is lawfully employable, they can make enquiries through the immigration enquiry hotline 2824 1551 or faxline 2824 1166 or email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk," the spokesman said.
Ends/Sunday, September 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:00
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