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| A big percentage of those arrested were from the Mainland |
The Immigration Department said on Friday that its anti-illegal work operations that lasted for a month and a half had led to the arrest of a total of 165 individuals, including suspected illegal workers, employers and abettors.
The operations that were carried out from July 2 to August 14 focused on certain sectors that have severe manpower problems, like renovation, catering, logistics and cleansing.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
Those arrested comprised 109 suspected illegal workers, 54 employers and two aiders and abettors
A big majority of the workers were from the mainland, totaling 74, while the remaining 35 were all non-ethnic Chinese. Seven of them were found to possess forged HK ID cards.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
They were mostly working as dishwashers, kitchen workers, waiters, waitresses, food delivery riders, renovation workers, cleaners and logistics workers. They were aged between 19 and 56.
Of those suspected of hiring them or abetting their employment, 54 were Hong Kong residents while one was a mainlander.
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| Illegal male workers are led away by Immigration agents |
Since the arrests, 61 have been prosecuted for violating Immigration laws, including overstaying, using a forged HKID card, and taking employment while an illegal immigrant, is subject to a removal or deportation order.
Maximum prison terms for illegal employment is 10 years if a forged HKID card was involved, and fine of up to $50,000.
Employers are punished more severely, with the fine reaching up to $500,000 plus 10 years in prison.
(If illegal activities are suspected, call Immigration’s dedicated hotline (2824 1551), email (anti_crime@immd.gov.hk) and online reporting platform (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/online-services/) to report illegal employment activities.)
