*********************************************************
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) launched today (February 2) a territory-wide blitz inspection cum law enforcement operation targeting premises suspected of being illegally used as hostels for pregnant women from the Mainland.
During today's operation, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the HAD inspected 43 premises in the Eastern, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan districts. Initial evidence showed that three of the premises were suspected of offering short-term rental accommodation to pregnant Mainlanders, with two persons suspected of breaching their conditions of stay. The latter two cases were immediately referred to the Police for follow-up action.
The Chief Officer (Licensing Authority), Mr Yu Tak-cheung, said, "The OLA considers the operation very successful. It is now quickly processing the evidence gathered and prosecutions will be made against these operators when sufficient evidence relating to unlicensed guesthouse activities is ascertained. The OLA will also follow up closely on the remaining cases.
"No matter whether these premises are in residential or commercial buildings, the OLA will spare no effort to combat unlicensed guesthouses, including mounting decoy operations during office hours and outside office hours at night, as well as conducting blitz enforcement inspections."
In addition to carrying out blitz operations, the OLA has been actively working with other relevant departments in mounting large-scale inter-departmental operations at accommodation hotspots of visitors and pregnant Mainlanders. The HAD also maintains close ties with relevant government departments and law enforcement organisations to combat illegal activities on all fronts.
"To enhance evidence collection, the OLA has recruited staff with working experience in the police force to assist in law enforcement. With the help of their criminal investigation skills and experience, we hope that the number of inspections as well as the prosecution rate will be further enhanced as a result.
"Moreover, the OLA will continue to recruit more staff to tie in with the increase in inspections and large-scale blitz operations associated with the expanded list of target buildings," Mr Yu said.
Operating an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence. Any person who is convicted for operating an unlicensed guesthouse is liable to imprisonment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a $200,000 fine and imprisonment for two years, and a fine of $20,000 for each day during which the offence continues.
Apart from carrying out stringent law enforcement, the OLA will continue to step up publicity. Currently, the OLA requires all licensed guesthouses to display a logo at the main entrance and on the doors of all guestrooms for tourists' easy identification. The OLA has also appealed to visitors to choose licensed guesthouses by beefing up publicity on television and radio, and displaying banners and posters at major immigration control points and areas with more suspected unlicensed guesthouses. Tourists may visit the OLA's website (www.hadla.gov.hk) to view the full list of licensed hotels and guesthouses.
Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:07
NNNN
