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| All save one of the illegal workers arrested were from the Mainland |
A total of 29 people, mostly suspected illegal workers, were arrested in an Immigration Department operation that targeted renovation works in the run-up to the Lunar New Year.
The arrested persons included 26 suspected illegal workers comprising 26 men, aged 20 to 57.
Two men and one woman, aged 44 to 56, were also arrested on suspicion of employing the workers in renovation works at two newly built public housing estates.
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At a news briefing held on Tuesday, an Immigration officer said the illegal workers comprised 25 who entered Hong Kong claiming to be mainland tourists, and one who had come from Indonesia. The employers were all local people.
Immigration said the campaign was launched last week in anticipation of a rash in renovation works at private homes in keeping with Lunar New Year tradition.
Immigration Deputy Commander Siu Ka-fai said that many people prefer to hire illegal workers for renovation and cleaning services to save on costs.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
But he said that while the cost was an important consideration, it is equally important to ensure that the hired workers can be legally employed.
Siu also warned that those who employ people who are not lawfully employable face even more severe penalties for violating the law.
Apart from the arrests, Immigration officers also distributed leaflets and deployed a promotional vehicle warning of severe consequences for those who employ illegal workers.
Under Hong Kong laws, all visitors in Hong Kong are not allowed to take up any job, whether paid or unpaid. Those found flouting this law face a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000.
The maximum prison term goes up to three years if the illegal worker is also an overstayer, an asylum seeker or an illegal immigrant.
Employers of illegal workers face a more severe penalty of up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. In addition, an immediate custodial sentence is imposed on such employers in line with sentencing guidelines laid down by the High Court.
