******************************************************
In response to media enquiries on the US "Trafficking in Persons Report 2013", a Government spokesman said today (June 20) that the Government has all along been committed to combating human trafficking.
The spokesman reiterated that Hong Kong is neither a destination for human trafficking nor a place of transit for such illicit activities, contrary to the report findings.
"We consider that our existing legislation (including the Crimes Ordinance, the Immigration Ordinance and the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, etc) has already fully underpinned the robust anti-trafficking enforcement of our law enforcement departments. Coupled with the earnest efforts of our law enforcement departments in combating such crimes, the occurrence of human trafficking crimes in Hong Kong is rare. In 2012, the Police successfully cracked down on four trafficking syndicates, with 10 criminals arrested for various trafficking-related offences," the spokesman said.
Last year, respective law enforcement departments continued to initiate and strengthen diversified anti-human trafficking measures, including enhanced co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies on intelligence exchange, enhanced intelligence gathering to monitor signs of child sex tourism, and closer liaison with non-governmental organisations, as well as enhanced training for front-line officers on both anti-trafficking enforcement and victim identification, etc.
In regard to the labour rights of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong, the spokesman stressed that the Government attaches great importance to protecting their rights. "Like local employees, FDHs in Hong Kong enjoy equal and full protection and entitlements under Hong Kong employment laws such as a weekly rest day, statutory holidays and annual leave. They also enjoy additional protection including minimum allowable wage, free accommodation, free food (or food allowance), free medical benefits and free passages to/from their places of domicile, etc. The Government will not tolerate any illegal acts of employers and employment agencies, and will take stringent enforcement and prosecution action against any malpractice," the spokesman said.
"Human trafficking is transnational in nature. We will continue to be vigilant and collaborate closely with overseas law enforcement agencies in the fight against human trafficking," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, June 20, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:45
NNNN
