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| Suspected illegal workers are arrested and herded to an Immigration van |
Three joint operations led by Immigration Department officers to flush out illegal workers have led to the arrest of 32 people across Hong Kong from April 10 to 16.
Of those arrested, 21 were suspected to be working illegally while the 11 others stood as their employers.
The suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and 12 women, aged 32 to 63. Two of the women possessed apparently forged Hong Kong identity cards.
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Those arrested for employing them were seven men and four women aged 30 to 58. Immigration said an investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and further arrests could not be ruled out.
Targeted in the latest raids were multiple premises including warehouses, retail stores and commercial buildings.
Immigration reiterated that illegal work is a serious crime in Hong Kong, which carries the maximum penalty of two years in jail and $50,000 in fine. If the arrested worker is an overstayer or is on recognizance or intends to seek asylum the jail term is up to three years.
Those who use forged identity documents can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $100,000.
Employers are advised to ensure the people they are hiring are legally employable. Those found to have failed to exercise due diligence in ensuring the employability of their workers or have deliberately hired illegal workers can be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for up to 10 years.
Mere failure to properly inspect the jobseeker’s travel document in the absence of a Hong Kong identity card could lead to prosecution and on conviction, to a fine up to $150,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
To report suspected illegal work activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
