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Two Filipinas have found themselves answering criminal charges in court after beng arrested for breach of condition of stay by doing work outside their duties as domestic helpers.
Maricel Ocomen, 39 years old, appeared at Shatin Court on
Friday (June 7) while Maria Carlota Marquez, 39, was there on Thursday (June 6);
both were charged with violation of the Immigration Ordinance and Immigration
Regulations.
Ocomen was arrested last Dec. 19 while doing odd jobs in a restaurant
on Hoi Pong Road West in Lei Yue Mun.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
She was freed on bail of $1,000 and was told to return for
the next hearing in July 19.
Marquez, on the other hand, was caught selling clothes in
Central on July 28 last year and was charged with establishing a business while
under the condition of stay as a domestic helper.
She was freed on bail of $500 and told to return on July 18.
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| TAWAG NA! |
Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations provides that
those covered by the condition of stay, such as domestic helpers, are not
allowed to:
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take any employment, whether paid or unpaid;
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establish or join in any business; and
·
become a student at a school, university or
other educational institution.
Section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance provides: “Any
person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 ($50,000)
and to imprisonment for 2 years.”
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