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| The arrested manicurists are taken to a waiting van on Edinburgh Place |
Three Filipina domestic helpers and one tourist were rounded up last Sunday while allegedly providing manicure and pedicure services as well as massage, on the stairs leading to a footbridge that links Worldwide House and Exchange Square in Central.
According to police officers who spoke at a press conference, the four were among 20 persons arrested during a three-day crackdown on illegal work which targeted foreign domestic helpers.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Seized from those arrested in Central were massage guns and lotions, nail polish and other manicure paraphernalia, and folding chairs.
The four were allegedly charging $50 for each service carried out inside tents or cardboard covers in what the police described as “very poor hygiene conditions.”
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| Seized from the FDHs in Central were massage guns, oil and manicure kits |
The four were among 14 suspected illegal workers arrested during the operations carried out from March 8 to 10. Six other people who allegedly hired some of the workers were also arrested.
Also targeted during the crackdown were restaurants, retail shops, residential care homes for the elderly, guesthouses, industrial and commercial building units and public areas.
The suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 13 women, aged 28 to 50 years old.
Among them, 11 hold current FDH visas, one was a former FDH who had overstayed her visa, one was a visitor, and one was a holder of a recognizance form, which signifies an application for asylum.
A statement from the Immigration Department said the arrested workers were found performing massage, pedicure and dishwashing duties, or acting as kitchen assistants.
The six employers comprised one man and five women aged 30 to 60 years old. They were described as owners of persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved.
Immigration said in a statement that an investigation is ongoing, and that the possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out.
Anyone convicted of doing illegal work while on an FDH or tourist visa could be jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of $50,000. If the offender is an overstayer or is on recognizance, the maximum jail term goes up to three years.
Employers of illegal workers face up to 10 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $500,000.
