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| The arrested workers were said to have worked as dishwashers, cleaners and food servers |
Eleven people, described as mostly Indonesian and Filipinos, were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal work, in an operation carried out by the Immigration Department for over a month that ended Thursday, September 23.
A press statement issued by the Immigration Department said nine suspected employers were also arrested.
Among the suspected illegal workers, three are currently employed as FDHs, five were former FDHs who had overstayed their visa, while three were overstaying tourists. They comprised two men and nine women, aged 34 to 51.
They were arrested during territory-wide raids that targeted restaurants, retail shops, food factories, hair salons, and various residential, commercial and industrial buildings. They were reportedly found working as dish washers, cleaners and food service workers.
The nine suspected employers comprised two men and seven women aged 34 to 54 who were either owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved.
During the operation, a forged Hong Kong identity card was seized.
Immigration said investigations into the alleged illegal work activities are still ongoing, and further arrests are not being ruled out.
The anti-illegal work operation codenamed “Swordfish” specifically targeted FDHs who breached their conditions of stay.
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| Items seized during ''Öperation Swordfish'' |
The press statement said, "A helper should only perform domestic duties for the employer as listed in the 'Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties' attached to the Contract. The helper should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the helper to carry out any work for any other person.”
Tourists or visitors are not allowed to take up any job, paid or unpaid, while FDHs are only allowed to perform domestic work at the address specified in their employment contracts.
Those found to have violated their visa conditions face a maximum jail term of two years and a fine of up to HK$50,000. The jail term rises to a maximum of three years if the offender is an overstayer, illegal immigrant or asylum seeker holding a recognizance document.
Those holding forged HK identity cards face a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.
In addition, illegal workers may face deportation by order of the Chief Executive, and barred from entering Hong Kong in future.
Employing people who are not lawfully employable is a more serious offence, for which the maximum penalty is 10 years in jail, and a fine of up to HK$500,000.
To report illegal employment 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.
