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| 4 women were among those arrested for working illegally in the logistics warehouse |
Immigration officers have arrested a number of suspected illegal workers hired by a logistics company during a covert operation yesterday, August 6, after two overstayers were arrested in an earlier operation.
Together with the previously arrested overstayers, a total of 12 suspected illegal workers and two employers were arrested in the logistics warehouse in Yuen Long.
The arrested illegal workers comprised eight men and four women, aged 24 to 53.
They were all suspected of engaging in various logistics tasks, including handling, packaging, and unloading goods at the warehouse.
Also arrested were two male Hong Kong residents, aged 46 and 50, who were alleged to have hired the illegal workers.
Immigration said in a statement that after the arrests of the two overstayers, investigators suspected that they had engaged in illegal work during their stay in Hong Kong. The investigators decided to do more in-depth analysis and uncovered the Yuen Long warehouse.
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The arrested illegal workers included three men who had fake HKID cards, as well as a woman who was carrying somebody else’s identification card.
Immigration reiterated that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong. Tourists are not allowed to take up employment, paid or unpaid; while foreign domestic workers are allowed to only perform domestic duties.
Offenders face a maximum penalty of $50,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
Overstayers and those holding recognizance papers are punished more severely, with the maximum penalty being imprisonment for up to three years.
Possession or use of fake HKID cards, or those belonging to another person, is punished with up to 10 years in jail and a fine of $100,000.
Employers of illegal workers face the harshest penalty of up to $500,000 in fines and 10 years in jail.
Immigration said its investigation is continuing, and further arrests are likely.
