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| A woman suspected of doing illegal work is led away by Immigration agents |
The latest week-long sweep carried out by the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police have resulted in the arrest of 35 people, of whom 29 were suspected illegal workers and six employers.
The raids carried out from Jan 22 to 29 involved groups that posted housekeeping and renovation services in Hong Kong. Officers who posed as customers booked for services and subsequently arrested four illegal workers who were all from the mainland.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Those arrested included two men and two women, aged 32 to 58. Two were working as housekeepers while the other two were renovation workers.
In separate operations, Immigration officers targeted usual business locations including restaurants, guesthouses and retail stores.
Of the 31 people arrested, 25 were suspected of working illegally. They comprised 15 men and 10 women, aged 20 to 59.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
They included three women holding recognizance forms that allow them to remain in Hong Kong to pursue asylum applications but not to work. One man was found in possession of a Hong Kong identity card belonging to another person
The six others, four men and two women aged 22 to 61, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
Immigration said the investigation into the suspected illegal employment is continuing.
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| Many of the male suspects were found carrying out renovation works |
Visitors who are not allowed to take up work or conduct business, or foreign domestic workers who should not work outside their employer’s residences face prosecution and upon conviction, face a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and $50,000 in fine.
Overstayers, illegal immigrants or those on recognizance face a more severe penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, and a similar fine of $50,000.
In addition, anyone sentenced to no less than two years in jail for working illegally may be deported under the Immigration Ordinance.
Those in possession of, or found to have used forged HKID cards, or those belonging to another person, could be punished for up to 10 years in jail and fined $100,000.
Employers face the harshest penalty of being fined up to $500,000 and imprisoned for a maximum of ten years. The High Court guidelines prescribe an immediate custodial sentence for anyone found to have employed an illegal worker.
To report suspected illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
