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| Immigration officers lead a suspected illegal worker away (File) |
A total of 35 people were rounded up in the latest week-long operations carried out by government law enforcers to flush out illegal workers across Hong Kong, including six overstayers.
The raids which were carried out from September 11 to 17 targeted restaurants, retail stores, flats under renovation, and other known hotspots for illegal work.
Apart from the overstayers, those arrested included 22 suspected illegal workers, six employers, and one aider and abettor.
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The suspected illegal workers comprised 11 men and 11 women, aged 26 to 55. Two of the men and one woman were holders of recognizance forms, which allow them to remain in Hong Kong but not take up any job, paid or unpaid. In addition, the woman suspect was found to possess a forged HK identity card.
Three men and three women, aged 30 to 57, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested and remain under investigation.
The suspected aider and abettor was a woman aged 44.
The six overstayers comprised two men and four women, aged 33 to 52.
The raids and arrests were conducted jointly by agents from the Immigration Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the Hong Kong Police.
Illegal work carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, and a fine of up to HK$20,000. The prison term goes up to three years for overstayers, illegal immigrants and recognizance paper holders or asylum seekers.
Those found in possession of forged HK ID cards face a prison term of up to 10 years and fine not exceeding HK$10,000.
Employers face the toughest penalty of up to HK$500,000 in fine and imprisonment for up to 10 years.
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.
