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| 11 women and 2 men were arrested for illegal work |
A combined team of operatives from the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department carried out anti-illegal work operations in the past week, or from Jan 16 to 22, and arrested a total of 19 people.
Those arrested comprised 13 suspected illegal workers, four employers and two aiders and abettors. They were arrested during raids on several target locations across the city, including restaurants, flats under renovation and grocery stores.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
IOf the 13 suspected illegal workers, there were two mean and 11 women, aged 24 to 62. Two of the women hold recognizance papers or applications against deportation, which prohibit them from taking up employment.
The suspected employers were all locals, two men and two women aged 36 to 62. The aiders and abettors, or facilitators of the suspected illegal employment, were a man aged 35 and a woman aged 50.
Immigration said an investigation into the employers is continuing, and further arrests are likely.
It also again warned that taking up illegal work, or one that is not approved by the Immigration Director, is a serious offence, for which the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $50,000.
If the offender is an illegal immigrant, an overstayer, or subject to deportation, the maximum jail term goes up to three years.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Aiders and abettors are equally liable.
Employers face the more severe penalty of up to 10 years in jail, and a maximum fine of $500,000.
The High Court also mandates immediate custodial sentence for those found engaging, abetting or contracting illegal work.
