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| Immigration conducts weekly anti-illegal work sweep (File) |
As part of its continuing campaign to crack down on illegal work, the Immigration Department mounted a series of operations across the city over the past week, and arrested a total of 26 people.
Those detained comprised 18 suspected illegal workers, two overstayers and six employers.
The workers comprised 12 men and six women, aged 24 to 63. Six men were found to hold recognizance papers which allow them to remain in Hong Kong to pursue asylum applications, but prohibit them from taking any form of employment.
The arrested overstayers were both women, aged 45.
Five men and one woman aged 32 to 49, were detained on suspicion of employing the illegal workers. An investigation into their activities is continuing, and the possibility of further arrests has not been ruled out.
The operations were carried out from August 14 to 20, with officers from other government departments taking part.
One was codenamed “Twilight” and was jointly carried out with officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Another called “Flabbergast” was a joint operation with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department were involved in "Powerplayer", while a separate one held jointly with the HK Police was codenamed "Champion.”
Targeted were multiple locations including restaurants, industrial buildings and flats under renovation.
At the same time, Immigration officers used a promotional vehicle to distribute leaflets to the public in a newly inhabited housing estate in Fanling, urging the public not to employ illegal workers.
Illegal work in Hong Kong carries the maximum penalty of up to two years in prison and fine of no more than HK$50,000.
If the illegal worker is an overstayer or an illegal immigrant, the maximum jail term is three years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$50,000.
Employers of illegal workers can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of HK$500,000. Customers who knowingly engage the services of such workers may also be subject to criminal liability.
Those who wish to report illegal work activities may 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.
