Hong Kong Photography Industry on Alert🚨 Illegal Labor Controversy, What Are Your Thoughts?
Recently, news broke from Hong Kong's photography and makeup industry about illegal workers disrupting the market and severely impacting local businesses. I was truly surprised when I heard this news and felt sad, thinking such things could happen around us too. Let's delve into the details together to understand the severity of the problem and discuss your thoughts on this situation, shall we? 🤔
Hello everyone! 👋
Today, I want to share some rather poignant news from Hong Kong with you.
Recently, the local photography and makeup industries are reportedly
suffering greatly due to illegal workers. I, too, became really interested
after seeing these news stories. Shall we take a closer look at what's happening?
📉 Hong Kong Photographers, Forced into 'Price War'
The article titled "鬥搶「新人」 港攝影師焗割價競爭" (Fighting to snatch 'newcomers', Hong Kong photographers forced to cut prices to compete)
indicates that Hong Kong's local photographers are currently forced to lower their prices
to attract 'new clients' (mostly couples planning their weddings).
This isn't just because of fierce competition; there's a much more serious underlying issue.
According to reports, these photographers feel their survival is threatened
by illegal foreign workers who offer unrealistically low prices. 😥
Mr. Chan, a representative of a local wedding photography studio in Hong Kong,
sighed and expressed the local difficulties, saying,
"A few years ago, we had a backlog of bookings, but nowadays, we barely manage a few cases a month."
🚫 Illegal Activities: Uncovering the Grave Reality
Behind the suffering of these local industries were illegal photographers
and makeup artists from mainland China.
"8名內地攝影及化妝師涉非法在港提供服務 入境處籲市民勿貪平" (8 mainland photographers and makeup artists suspected of illegally providing services in Hong Kong, Immigration Department urges citizens not to be greedy for cheap prices)
this article points to the core of the problem.
In late August, the Hong Kong Immigration Department conducted a major crackdown,
arresting 8 mainland photographers and makeup artists
on suspicion of illegally providing services.
They reportedly entered on tourist visas, recruited clients through social media,
and offered services such as wedding shoots and personal profile photography
at prices 30-50% lower than local market rates.
An Immigration Department official strongly warned citizens, saying,
"If you use illegal services just because they are cheap, it will be difficult to be protected
in case of service quality issues or disputes later on."
They added, "Employing illegal workers is a serious crime that can be punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars." This is truly important information!
🕵️♀️ Undercover Operation Leads to Arrest of Illegal Organizations!
As the problem persisted, the Immigration Department became even more proactive.
The article "黑工陪拍化妝 入境處「放蛇」拘10人" (Illegal workers providing photography and makeup services; Immigration Department 'undercover' operation arrests 10 people)
states that the Immigration Department carried out an 'undercover operation'
and additionally arrested 10 mainlanders who were providing illegal photography and makeup services.
This crackdown took place in early September, focusing on areas like Tsim Sha Tsui and Lan Kwai Fong,
where many tourists and young people gather. 😮
Those arrested were also found to have entered on tourist visas and engaged in illegal profit-making activities.
Some of them were even revealed to have systematically recruited clients
through illegally operated agencies.
This kind of organized illegal activity greatly disrupts the order of the local market
and causes immense harm to hardworking local people,
which seems to be the most regrettable part.
🕊️ Let's Ponder Together with a Warm Heart
The news from Hong Kong we've looked at today
might not just be a story from a distant land.
Similar problems might be occurring unnoticed
around us as well.
I believe it's important for all of us to pay attention and monitor the situation
to ensure that people who work diligently and follow legal procedures are not harmed,
and that a healthy market is maintained.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
What efforts do you think are needed to solve this problem? 🤔
Please share your valuable opinions in the comments! 🙏
I hope this can be a time for us to contemplate together. 😊