Unions representing immigration officers, demanded on Friday, that the government hire 400 front line officers within the next month, to handle a virtual deluge of tourists that is expected to develop. A sharp rise in the number of tourists crossing the border from the mainland is anticipated, after a loosening of travel permit requirements for non-permanent Shenzhen residents made an additional 4.1 million people eligible for travel permits.

Starting Saturday, the new arrangement will allow the non-permanent Shenzhen residents to apply for repeat-entry permits without their being required to return to their hometowns. For Shenzhen residents who originated from areas outside Shenzhen, they are now permitted to apply for the multiple-entry permits. Previously they could obtain only permits of maximum dual-entry.

Ngai Sik-shui, chairman of the Immigration Service Officers Association, described the immediate need for the manpower increase "allows no delay".

"Currently, the front line officers suffer unspeakable pressure from three dimensions, including the rising number of visitors, expectant mothers from the mainland who want to have their babies in Hong Kong, and cross-border children attending school," said Ngai.

Ngai predicted that the new travel permit arrangements will result in an increase in the number of illegal workers and in the numbers of pregnant women from the mainland, rushing to Hong Kong emergency wards to give birth.

Ngai suggested the government form a multi-function unit of 400 officers to address urgent manpower needs. During busy hours, the unit could provide 50 officers to fortify the front lines at immigration check points. In the meantime, the rest of the remainder of the additional staff could help to tackle he issue of pregnant, non-local women and illegal workers.

Ngai said if the government didn't make special arrangements within a month, association members will work-to-rule, strictly adhering to their contract and accepting no additional responsibilities.

In response, the spokesman for the Immigration Department said the department will evaluate the manpower and other resource allocation at every checkpoint. In the meantime, it will allocate resources according to needs and will apply for resource if extra hands are needed, to ensure the effective operation of the department.

The chairman of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Staff General Association, concurred. Chan Che-kwong, said the implementation of the new policy will foster an increase of cross-border crime.

The customs union will meet by the end of the September to discuss the anticipated difficulties in terms of law enforcement. Chan said the government should come up with supporting measures, including increasing manpower.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/01/2012 page1)