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| Items seized from people arrested for enganging in illegal construction work |
A total of 25 people were arrested in the latest territory-wide operations meant to flush out illegal workers.
Among them were five overstayers and four recognizance paper holders, or asylum seekers.
The suspected illegal workers, including the asylum seekers and one found in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card comprised 10 men and nine women, aged 20 to 54.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The overstayers were a man and four women, aged 29 to 39. A man aged 55 was also arrested on suspicion of employing the illegal workers.
An investigation into the alleged illegal employment is continuing, and further arrests may be made.
According to the Immigration Department the arrests were made during raids on multiple target locations including restaurants, flats under renovation and industrial buildings, from Oct 30 to Nov 8.
Immigration again warned that taking up work, whether paid or unpaid, is not allowed for tourists or those with visa restrictions like foreign domestic workers. The maximum penalty for offenders is two years in prison and a fine of up to HK$50,000.
Overstayers and asylum seekers face a more severe jail term of up to three years.
Possession of a forged HK identity card carries an even more severe penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of HK$100,000.
Employing illegal workers is an even more serious offense, which carried the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of HK$500,000.
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