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| Immigration officers escort one of those arrested |
A new group of illegal workers was discovered in the latest territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations of the government which netted 11 persons for working illegally, four locals for employing them and one for “aiding and abetting”.
The new group was discovered by Immigration Department officers through social
media platforms: Mainland photographers who advertised photography and makeup
services in Hong Kong.
“After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis,
ImmD officers identified several suspected persons and initiated an operation.
Officers disguised themselves as customers to enquire about and book
photography and makeup services from these Mainland photographers and makeup
artists,” ImmD said in a report.
They subsequently arrested three men and two women, aged 20
to 29, while providing photography and makeup services in Hong Kong.
“During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers
also raided multiple target locations including restaurants, residential
buildings and construction sites, etc.,” ImmD said.
Of the six suspected illegal workers who were arrested, two
were men and four were women, aged 24 to 47. Arrested for employing the illegal
workers were two men and two women, aged 36 to 62, while the suspected aider
and abettor arrested was a women aged 56.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
The 16 arrests were made in raids conducted on from October
17 to 23 by the Immigration Department (ImmD) under operations codenamed
"Rally", "Lightshadow" and "Puncture", and a
joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion".
“Investigation into
the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is
not ruled out,” ImmD said.
Under the Immigration Ordinance, any
person who contravenes his or her condition of stay shall be guilty of an
offence.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
For example, one of such conditions
is that visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid
or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. “Offenders
are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000
and up to two years' imprisonment,” ImmD said.
Employer, aiders and abettors are
also liable to prosecution and penalties, it added.
ImmD added that it conducts an initial screening of vulnerable
persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign
domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation to ascertain whether
they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
“When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial
screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification
by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements,
such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of
exploitation,” it said.
“Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms
of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services,
counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services,”
it added.
The ImmD also urged TIP victims to report crimes to the
relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, call the
dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax to 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk,
or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at
www.immd.gov.hk.
