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| Building where offense took place (Google Maps photo) |
The government underlined the severity of illegal work today
when the Eastern Magistrates’ Court sentenced a Filipina to 15 months
imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to working as a trash cleaner.
Jonites Garcia, 48 years old, was arrested last May 28 while hauling garbage inside a rear staircase of Block 9 in City Garden in North Point.
It turned out she was holding a recognizance form as identification
document, being subject to a removal order due to the failure of her application
for asylum.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Under sections 38AA (1)(b2) and 38AA (2) of the Immigration Ordinance, people with removal order are prohibited from taking up employment, whether paid or unpaid. But many are able to remain in Hong Kong because of a legal challenge they filed against the Immigration Director's decision to deny them refuge.
Violators face a fine of up to level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment of
up to three years.
Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung
gave Garcia a one-third discount on her sentence for pleading guilty and thus saving
the court’s time and resources in resolving the case.
