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| Some of those arrested on Feb. 19-22 (Immigration Department photo) |
A domestic helper arrested in a restaurant in Central during an anti-illegal worker operation by the Immigration Department last Feb. 19, pleaded not guilty today in Shatin Court to violating her condition of stay, which requires her to work only for her employer.
Irene Allam, 43 years old,
maintained that she was in the restaurant, which was owned by her employer,
only to collect some items to take back to her employer’s home.
When asked by Acting
Principal Magistrate Amy Chan why she was wearing an apron and rubber gloves, Allam’s
lawyer said they will question the observation of the arresting officer, who
was identified as the lone prosecution witness.
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| PINDUTIN PARA DETALYE |
Allam was accused of violating Immigration Ordinance and Immigration Regulations by doing “odd jobs at Central”.
Under the condition of stay imposed
on her on July 21, 2023, she is allowed to work only as a domestic helper for
her employer under a contract approved by Immigration.
With Allam’s not-guilty
plea, Magistrate Chan set a trial on May 27. She also extended the term of Allam’s
bail which consisted of $2,000 in cash and $5,000 in surety.
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| TAWAG NA! |
Chan required both prosecution
and defense to submit the necessary documents and other evidence by April 30.
Allam was one of 12 suspected
illegal workers and two suspected employers arrested in Immigration operations
codenamed "Twilight" and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police
Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand" last Feb. 19 to 22.
A government statement said
that during the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided
15 target locations including bars, a guest house, premises under renovation,
restaurants and retail shops, arresting nine workers and two employers.
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| PINDUTIN ITO |
The workers comprised nine
women, aged 28 to 54. Among them, seven women were holders of recognisance
forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, one woman
was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity
card.
Three other workers were
arrested in the joint operations with police.
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| PADALA NA! |
