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| One of the women arrested for suspected illegal work is led away for questioning |
The latest week-long operations conducted by the Immigration Department and other government enforcers to flush out illegal workers has resulted in 23 people being arrested, including two who have overstayed their visas.
Those arrested in the territory-wide operations conducted from April 30 to May 7 also included 16 suspected illegal workers and five employers.
The suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and nine women, aged 21 to 63. They included a man holding a recognizance form meant to prevent him being deported, but does not allow him to take any employment; and a woman in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.
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Three men and two women, aged 37 to 66, were held on suspicion of employing the illegal workers. An investigation into the operation is continuing and further arrests are not being ruled out.
Those targeted in the raids were warehouses, massage parlors and premises under renovation.
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| 7 men are among 16 suspected illegal workers arrested during the raids |
Illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which a custodial sentence is usually prescribed. The maximum penalty is up to two years in prison and fine of up to HK$50,000.
Overstaying or working while under recognizance are aggravating factors which raise the maximum jail term to three years.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Holding a forged identity card is even more serious, as the prescribed penalty is imprisonment for up to 10 years and a maximum fine of HK$100,000.
Employers face the most severe penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$500,000.
The other government agencies that took part in the raids were the Customs and Excise Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force.
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