HK schools urged to help curb flu outbreaks

602 flu outbreaks have been recorded in schools since Sept (File photo)

Hong Kong’s Department of Health has called on all schools to take preventive steps and manage flu outbreaks as a third severe pediatric influenza case was recorded this week, and the 13^th overall for the current flu season.

One of them, a 13-year-old girl, has died from severe influenza B infection on Oct. 13.

The latest severe case involves an 11-year-old girl who is currently in serious condition after developing fever, cough and sore throat on October 19. She was taken to the accident and emergency department of Yan Chai Hospital on Oct. 21 and later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The girl was diagnosed with influenza A infection complicated by severe pneumonia. Recently, 10 other students from different classes at her school contracted flu, but all had minor symptoms and did not require hospitalization.

The sick girl has not received this year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

In the letter sent to all schools, the DH’s Centre for Health Protection has also called for the completion of student vaccinations as soon as possible, and said it will provide assistance as needed.

Basahin ang detalye!

According to CHP controller Dr Edwin Tsui, there has been more severe pediatric influenza cases this season than there were during the winter influenza season earlier this year.

“Including today's latest case, there have been 13 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children were between two and 17 years old, and 10 of them had good past health,” said Dr Tsui.

“A total of 602 school outbreaks have been reported since the start of the school year, including 64 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 320 cases in primary schools and 218 cases in secondary schools. This number is far higher than the 88 cases recorded in the whole winter influenza season earlier this year.”

The CHP reminded schools to strengthen preventive measures such as using correct methods for cleaning and disinfecting campuses effectively, opening windows when appropriate to improve ventilation indoors and to remind teachers and students to observe personal hand hygiene.

In addition, teachers and students are urged to check their temperature daily before going to school. If they develop symptoms or a fever, they should stay at home. Schools should immediately report suspected outbreaks, such as respiratory infections, to the CHP.

Dr Tsui also reminded parents to pay close attention to their children’s condition as the condition of those with flu may deteriorate rapidly. If there are signs that the child’s condition has worsened, like if they develop symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain confusion, persistent fever of convulsion, they must be taken to hospital immediately.

As before, the elderly are also highly at risk for severe influenza.

Everyone who develops respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also avoid going out.

 

 

DH denies sidewalk vending, 2 other charges

 

Chater Road

A Filipina domestic helper is to go on trial at Eastern Court after she denied hawking or selling clothes without a license on a sidewalk in Central last July 6, obstruction of a public place and violating a condition of her stay.

A defense lawyer for C. Mangandi, 44 years old, told a hearing Wednesday (Oct. 12) that no defense witness will be presented during her trial on Dec. 15 for violation of three laws: Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Summary Offenses Ordinance and Immigration Ordinance.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Principal Magistrate David Cheung extended her bail of $500.

The first charge, hawking without a license, arose after she was arrested on a pavement beside a lamp post on Chater Road while allegedly selling one scarf, two handkerchiefs, two underwear, three pairs of shoes, 21 dresses, 50 upper body clothes and 30 pants.

Basahin ang detalye!

The charge of obstruction, on the other hand, arose from Mangandi allegedly spreading out a cloth measuring 0.6 by 1.2 meters on which she displayed her merchandise, “which obstructed persons in the aforesaid public place,” the police complaint said.

The third charge stems from the fact that her DH visa prohibits her from “establish(ing) or join(ing) the hawkering business in Hong Kong without permission of the Immigration Department,” the complaint said.

DH accused of taking nude photo of employer

 

Offense allegedly took place in one of the flats here (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper has found herself at Eastern Court, accused of voyeurism after a nude photograph of her former employer was allegedly found in the mobile phone she returned when she left her job.

G. A., 42 years old, was charged with violation of section 159AAB (1) (a) (i) and 3) of the Crimes Ordinance, which prescribes a jail term of up to five years upon conviction.

In a hearing Tueday (Oct. 21), Principal Magistrate David Cheung Chi-wai issued an anonymity and gag order to protect the identity of the victim, who was identified in court as Female X.

Pindutin para sa detalye

He adjourned the case to Dec. 16 for plea, and freed the helper on bail of $2,000 with conditions, such as not to leave Hong Kong, not to go back to the place of the offense, report to a police station every Sunday and inform police of any change in address.

A police complaint said the offense took place in a flat in La Marina, on Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, on an unknown date between Sept. 1, 2023 and Feb. 25, 2024.

Basahin ang detalye!

It alleged that G.A. “secretly recorded Female X in a place where said Female X could reasonably be expected to be naked, to reveal an intimate part, or to perform an intimate act, and said Female X was in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

It added that G.A. “disregarded whether the said Female X consented to being recorded.”

Fengshen brings T3, cooler weather to HK

Fengshen brings cloudy and cool weather to HK (HKO photo from The Peak)

The Hong Kong Observatory said earlier today that Tropical Cyclone Warning No 3 will remain in force only until 6pm today, unless Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen strengthens or changes course, which is unlikely.

“Unless Fengshen intensifies significantly, the chance of issuing higher Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals is relatively low,” the HK Observatory said in a statement.

T3 was hoisted yesterday afternoon, bypassing T1 as Fengshen edged closer to the coast of Guangdong. It replaced the Strong Monsoon Signal that was issued at 10:50pm Sunday night.

Under the combined effect of Fengshen and the monsoon, temperatures dipped to around 19 degrees in the urban areas today, and colder in the New Territories.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Classes at kindergartens and schools for children with disabilities were suspended for the day today with T3 in force.

Fengshen was tracked to have passed beyond 400 kilometres to the south of Hong Kong before moving away.

The Observatory said frequent showers can be expected in the next couple of days as outer rainbands from Fengshen continue to affect Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

There could also be flooding at some low-lying coastal areas during the high tides at night, with the water level at Victoria Harbour rising up to around 3 meters about Chart Datum, or the reference point for predicting tide heights.

 

 

 

Filipina DH rejects assault claim by local woman

 

 Kwun Tong Court

A local woman who accused a Filipino domestic helper of assaulting her with a fist, had exaggerated her story, the defense lawyer said during trial on Monday (Oct. 20) at Kwun Tong Court.

The lawyer for Maylene Joson, 45 years old, said a CCTV clip of the incident that took place on Nov. 21 last year on a school bus pick-up point near the car park of Corinthia by the Sea in Tseung Kwan O, did not show her hitting Tsoi Chun lai, who claimed to be the victim.

Instead, she said, the video showed Joson defending herself as Tsoi stepped forward first, pointed a finger and told her, “You are just a domestic helper. You should know your position.”

Pindutin para sa detalye

When Joson pointed a finger back, she touched Tsoi’s face accidentally while telling her to shut up, the lawyer added. She said photos in the police report did not indicate any injury on Tsoi ’s face. A medical report also showed Tsoi had only complained of mild tenderness with no lasting injury.

“The only inference was that PW1 (prosecution witness 1 or Tsoi ) was lying,” .the defense lawyer told Magistrate Lau Suk-han.

Tsoi testified in the previous hearing that she was hit by Joson, who shouted at her and continued haranguing her as she was leaving the bus stop.

Basahin ang detalye!

Magistrate Lau adjourned the case to Nov. 7 for verdict.

The dispute began in the morning of Nov. 20, or the day before, when Joson put the schoolbag of her three-year-old ward on the stairs of the school bus so it would not drive off as her employer, who was carrying her daughter down from their flat, was running late.

The employer, who testified Monday, said she heard Tsoi scolding Joson for this, but advised the Filipina to just come with her back home to end the dispute. She later received text messages from Tsoi, to whom she apologized.

The next morning, when Joson brought her ward and Tsoi took her child to the school bus stop, they met again and the dispute that led to the criminal charges erupted.

Joson’s employer testified that a policeman later called, asking her to come down with the Filipina regarding the case. She found an ambulance and a police vehicle downstairs.

She said the policeman advised her to apologize to Choi, who was in the ambulance, to end what he considered a trivial matter. She said she again apologized for what happened the day before, as she did not know what happened between the two that day, but Choi rejected the apology.

The ambulance later drove off with Choi, while the police car took Joson to the police station for investigation.

Bethune House sees birth of youngest ‘clients’ amid launch of fundraising drive

 

Baby Noah and his mother Glendy at the shelter

Two baby boys born a month apart have become the latest residents of Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, highlighting its valuable contribution to keeping distressed migrant workers in Hong Kong safe and sheltered.

The babies’ mothers, a Filipina and an Indonesian, both have pending court cases, and Bethune House has not only helped assure them that they can remain in Hong Kong and give birth while they sort out their legal problems, but to also be surrounded with many caring and loving people.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The births, the latest of which happened only last week, coincided with this year’s launch of the 2025-2026 Coins for Bethune House, an annual fundraising project started 14 years ago.

Baby Noel is still at the hospital, as he was born through C-section

The aim is not just to raise much-needed money to help the 39-year-old shelter pay for the cost of providing food and accommodation to about two dozen migrant women at any given time, but also to raise awareness of its advocacies, especially among the migrant workers themselves.

Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio explained part of what they do, during the fundraising launch on October 12: “May Cantonese lesson, computer lesson, first aid, basta lahat ng makakatulong sa inyo dito sa Hong Kong while may kaso kayo.”(anything that could help you stay in Hong Kong while you’re facing court cases)

She added, “Once na terminate kayo, di ba jobless at homeless kayo, wala kayong tutuluyan, at madalas hindi pa binayaran ng amo. At dahil hindi kayo pinapayagan ng HK government na magtrabaho, crucial ang shelter para sa pananatili ninyo at makamit ninyo ang justice dito sa Hong Kong. Kasi kung hindi, uuwi na lang kayo dahil hindi kayo makakatagal sa mahal ng gastusin dito.”

Basahin ang detalye!

(When your services are terminated, you become jobless and homeless. You have nowhere to go, and often, your employer did not pay you. The Hong Kong government does not allow you to work, so the shelter is crucial in allowing you to remain here while you fight for justice. If you don’t have a place to go, you’ll be forced to go home because it is expensive to remain here).

Antonio explained that beyond giving shelter and legal and moral support advice to its clients, Bethune House also covers the cost of transportation for those who need to work on their cases, as well as their visa extension fee, which was recently raised from $230 to $330 each time.

About 100 people join Coins for Bethune 2025 launch at St John's Li Hall

Even in the middle of the night, she said Bethune House sends out volunteers or staff members to rescue workers who have been thrown out of their employers’ houses after being given notice of termination for whatever reason.

At no other time was this help shown to be most crucial than during the 2020-2023 Covid-19 pandemic, when dozens of migrant workers were driven out into the streets all throughout the day, after testing positive for the virus. Bethune House, together with other support groups for migrants, found places where they could stay and recover.

Edwina says BH helps distressed migrant women every step of the way

Through nearly four decades, Bethune House has stood as a beacon of hope for migrant women facing all sorts of challenges, not least the victims in some of the worst abuse cases ever recorded in Hong Kong. They were not only sheltered, but were also helped to attain justice and regain their self-worth.

They include Indonesian worker Erwiana, who was taken to the airport for her flight home, barely able to walk from the abuse inflicted on her by her employer. She was brought back by the Mission for  Migrant Workers, which helped put her employer in jail while she sheltered in Bethune House, and eventually went back to college and graduated with honors.

There was also Grace, who was made to sleep in the toilet and was rescued by Bethune House volunteers amid a Typhoon 8 signal; Marsha, a human trafficking victim who stayed at the shelter for three years while facing a case for breach of condition of stay; and many others, including rape victims who found in the shelter the ray of hope they needed in a time of despair.

Amazingly, Bethune House has done all these good works without funding support from any government, be it Hong Kong, the Philippines or Indonesia.

But it has not been without challenges. Every so often it would send out an SOS to private donors saying it was in danger of closing down because of a shortage of funds, and each time, lots of people would come together, from local artists to Disney performers and young professionals, and extend it a lifeline.

The Coins for Bethune House project is one of those constants, and perhaps most meaningful. For it is when migrant workers come together to support their own that Bethune House finds more reason to continue its advocacies.

(Donors may collect their official Coins for Bethune House stickers from Edwina at 9488 9044 or their hotline, 9338 0035. You may also donate directly by scanning the QR code in the poster above or by bank transfer to Alipay and EPS, using telephone number 93380035; or to Hang Seng Bank account no. 284-8-241309).

 

Stepped-up anti-illegal work crackdown nets 50 people

 

Construction sites are often checked for the presence of illegal workers

Hong Kong remains replete with illegal workers, as shown by last week’s joint operations between the Immigration and Labour Departments, when a total of 50 people were arrested.

A statement issued by the Immigration Department said the week-long raids from October 10 to 16, resulted in the arrest of 41 suspected illegal workers, eight employers and an aider and abettor.

As in previous operations, most of the premises targeted were construction sites, renovation premises and restaurants.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The arrested workers comprised 11 men and 30 women, aged 24 to 58. One man was found to hold a recognizance form, signifying his intention to oppose repatriation, while another was in possession of a fake HK ID card.

Three men and five women, aged 32 to 62, were also arrested on suspicion of hiring the workers, along with a 62-year-old woman who is suspected of having abetted the illegal hiring.

Basahin ang detalye!

Immigration said further investigations is being carried out, and further arrests are not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the crackdown, Immigration officers went around newly inhabited housing estates to distribute leaflets among occupants and management staff warning people not to hire illegal workers.

Promotional vehicle used to warn residents against hiring illegal workers

The press statement warned that it is illegal for anyone to take up work in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, unless with explicit permission from the Director of Immigration.

The prohibition covers tourists, illegal immigrants, ovestayers, asylum seekers as well as foreign domestic workers and imported laborers who are allowed to work only for the specified job and location, and for their contractual employers.

Illegal workers are normally sentenced to 15 months in prison after conviction, although the prescribed maximum jail term is between two and three years, with a fine of $50,000.

Sentencing guidelines imposed by the High Court prescribe an immediate jail term for an employer of an illegal work, although they are often jailed for a shorter time than the worker. The maximum penalty for errant employers is 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $500,000.

Anyone with information about illegal employment activities may call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

 

FinTech Alliance PH to conduct finlit seminar for OFWs

 

Registration is required for face-to-face participation

FinTech Alliance PH, the Philippines’ largest digital industry association, is set to conduct a Financial Literary and Digital Adoption Program for overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong on November 2,  at 2pm at the OWWA Cares Hall at the OFW Global Center on the 18^th floor of United Centre building in Admiralty.

The seminar aims to equip OFWs in Hong Kong with the knowledge and expertise in managing their finances, with the help of professional and trusted experts in the field of financial services.

Those interested to join may register by scanning the QR code in the attached poster, or watch the training live on the Consulate’s official Facebook page: Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong. 

Pindutin para sa detalye

FinTech Alliance PH, the first organization of its kind in Asia, comprises more than 100 corporate members, including the leading digital retail businesses in the country like GCash, Maya, GoTyme, Grab, 7Eleven, and banks like BPI and Landbank.

PINDUTIN DITO

Together they account for more than 95% of the country’s digital retail financial transaction volume.

The group has spearheaded the establishment of an industry-led Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, which could pave the way for it to operate as a self-regulating body.

Basahin ang detalye!

FinTech Alliance PH will join the Hong Kong FinTech Week to be held from November 3-7 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Singapore FinTech Festival from November 12-14 at the Singapore Expo.

 

Another Pinay gets 6-month jail term for money laundering

 

Another Filipina has been jailed for six months after her bank account was used in laundering money that came from crime.

Cherel Elle, 38 years old, pleaded guilty last Tuesday (Oct. 4) at Kwun Tong Court to dealing in property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, in violation of the Organized ad Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Magistrate Eric Yao handed her the sentence after deducting three months from her sentence in return for her guilty plea.

Information filed by Kwun Tong Police said $363,442.58 went in and out of her Bank of China account between Aug. 1, 2022 and Jan. 23, 2023.

Pindutin para sa detalye

It said she dealt with the money “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that (the) property… in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable crime…”

PINDUTIN DITO

Elle’s conviction comes a day after Lea Callo, 32 years old and a Filipina domestic helper, was also sentenced at Kwun Tong Court to six months in jail for allowing the use of her bank account in money laundering.

Basahin ang detalye!

The charge arose from the $937,789.50 in crime proceeds that flowed in and out of her Bank of China account between May 24 and Oct. 26, 2022.

Filipina charged with stealing 5 watches worth $1.01M

 

Entrance of Deerhill Park, where the alleged theft happened (Wikimedia photo)

A Filipina domestic helper appeared in Fan Ling magistracy Friday, charged with stealing four Rolex watches from her employer’s house worth a total of $1 million plus a third branded Citizen,  valued at $10,000.

Jeanny V. Llarenas, 51 years old, is accused of stealing the watches from the detached house in Deerhill Bay, a luxury residential complex in Tai Po, between June 1 and October 15 this year, when the alleged theft was discovered.

The first charge is for the theft of two Rolex watches, each valued at $250,000; and the second is for the theft of two more Rolex watches with the same value, as well as a Citizen watch worth $10,000.

Pindutin para sa detalye

No plea was taken and Llarenas was returned to jail until the next hearing of the case on December 12.

Media reports said Llarenas, mistakenly described earlier as an Indonesian, was arrested at around 9:50pm on Wednesday, Oct. 15, after a 35-year-old resident of the Deerhill house reported to the police that two luxury watches were missing.

Subsequent investigation revealed the loss of two more Rolex watches, plus a high-value Citizen watch. They were allegedly found inside her bag, about to be pawned.

More charges may follow, as Llarenas is still being investigated for 12 items of gold jewelry that were also reported as lost.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Basahin ang detalye!

Police who came to investigate subsequently arrested the defendant on suspicion of theft, under Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

She was charged in court after two days of investigation.

Employer of Indonesian illegal worker jailed 2 months

 

Both employer and illegal worker were sentenced at Shatin Court

A local grocery shop owner was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on Friday after being found guilty of hiring an Indonesian illegal worker.

The Indonesian worker aged 51 years old was jailed for 15 months previously

The unnamed employer described as a male Hong Kong resident aged 57, was charged at Shatin Court or being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable as he did not take adequate steps to ascertain the visa status of the worker.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was convicted after trial.

Pindutin para sa detalye

He was arrested on March 13 by Immigration officers who raided his grocery store and arrested him for hiring the Indonesian, who turned out to be a recognizance paper holder applying for asylum, as a shop assistant.

In a statement, Immigration reminded the public that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Under the Immigration Ordinance the maximum penalty for an employer of an illegal worker, for example, an illegal immigrant, a person subject to deportation or overstayer, is liable to prosecution and could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $500,000. 

The High Court has also ruled that the employer should be jailed immediately.

 

Basahin ang detalye!

According to the sentencing guidelines, employers take all practicable steps to determine whether a jobseeker is lawfully employable.

Apart from inspecting the applicant’s identity card, the employers must also make enquiries about the person and ensure that the answers would not cast reasonable doubt as to the lawful employability of the person.

Failure to do this would not be accepted as a defence on the employer’s behalf

It is also an offence for the employer not to inspect the job seeker’s valid passport or travel document if no permanent HK ID card could be presented

To report suspected illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.