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| This man was among those arrested for illegal work last year |
Immigration crackdown on illegal work has intensified in the last two years, with the number of prosecutions last year almost doubling compared with 2022.
The figures were supplied by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, in the question and answer portion at the Legislative Council earlier today.
The arrests last year totaled 1,172 comprising 1,013 illegal workers and 169 employers. For 2023 it was 943 workers and 109 employers, while in 2022 it was only 539 workers and 138 workers.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
For the first quarter of 2025, there have already been a total of 301 prosecutions for illegal work, comprising 262 workers and 39 employers.
Secretary Tang said the government remains committed to crack down on illegal employment “with a view to protecting job opportunities for the local workforce.”
As such, he said the government will continue to actively combat illegal employment on various fronts, including stepping up inspections, “cyber patrols” and law enforcements, and strengthening publicity and education.
Hong Kong law considers illegal employment a serious offence, with not just illegal workers being prosecuted but also employers and middlemen or “aiders and abettors.”
Tang said that part of the deterrence effort was the move by government to raise the penalty for employers of illegal workers. The maximum fine was increased to $500,000 from $300,000 along with up to 10 years in prison.
“The directors, managers, secretaries, partners, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability,” said Tang.
Apart from this, the High Court has prescribed an immediate custodial sentence to anyone found employing illegal workers.
