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| The week-long operation netted one of the biggest groups of illegal workers |
Thirteen
overstaying former domestic helpers and one who came in as tourist were among
45 people arrested in the latest anti-illegal work operations by the Immigration
Department.
An Immigration Department statement said that in one of their joint operations with the Labour Department, it was discovered that FDHs whose contracts were prematurely terminated had been overstaying while taking up illegal employment.
“After a thorough investigation and intelligence analysis, the ImmD successfully identified and raided multiple target locations, including restaurants and food production plants,” said the statement.
Independent media reports said most of those arrested were from Indonesia.
The week-long operation from Nov 14 to 20 netted a total of 33 suspected illegal workers, 10 employers and two non-FDH overstayers. The round-ups were conducted with help from the Labour Department and the police.
According to Immigration, in the first batch of raids, those arrested on suspicion of illegally taking up jobs comprised one man and 23 women who were found working as dishwashers, cleaners and kitchen workers.
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| One of the suspects is caught in the act during a restaurant raid |
The suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 23 women, aged 22 to 52. Apart from the 15 overstaying ex-FDHs, 10 others held recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment taking any employment in Hong Kong.
In separate covert operations that targeted multiple locations like massage parlours, renovation flats and retail stores, nine suspected illegal workers comprising seven men and two women aged 37 to 60 were arrested. Two men and one woman in the group were found to possess fake HK identity cards.
Also taken in for questioning were two local female residents aged 52 and 65, who were suspected of having employed the illegal workers.
Immigration said an investigation into the suspected illegal employers in ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.
Under the Immigration Ordinance, those who violate their visa conditions by taking up unauthorized work can be jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of 500,000. The jail term extends to three years in cases where the offender is an overstayer, illegal immigrant, or subject to deportation.
Employers of illegal workers face a maximum penalty of P100,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.
An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility
of further arrests is not ruled out.
